Interviewer: Uh-hmm.
Interviewee: But they are anxious to see the government, a non-corrupt, put forward more of these reforms which they can then take not only to open chapters but to use to say Turkey is moving where we wanted to move in terms of political reform.
Interviewer: France, just stick with Cypress and perhaps Greece for a moment.
Interviewee: Uh-hmm.
Interviewer: From their perspective, could you not argue that they could lift these objections, let Turkey in and then they will have a bigger cloud among – once they’re part of the EU to then get these negotiations going, and then have a better feel and more of a chance to change Turkey’s habits or practical obligations in their field.
Interviewee: Well, one could; however, no one will let Turkey in until it has met the acquis communautaire, this 100 thousand and growing pages of rules and regulations. So no matter, on the best of circumstances, Turkey has a number of years.
Interviewer: Right.
Interviewee: Now, what I would say to you is that would it be good for Cypress and Greece to a lesser extent has been a problem, but Cypress especially, to lift some of the blocks on some of the chapters where it has them. I think it would be. I think that it would generate a lot of goodwill. I think it would help speed things along. I think one of the most effective instruments of reforming Turkey is to have the European commission negotiating and saying you must pass this bill. You must sign the optional protocol on the convention against torture and stuff like that, other things that they have on their wish list. That will help move Turkey forward. I can understand how Turkey does not want to move when they don’t see progress on the chapters.
Interviewer: Uh-hmm.