European Parliament
Varvitsiotis (PPE-DE ).
(EL)
Mr President, Mr Eurlings has received a great many congratulations this evening and rightly so, because his report is complete and absolutely balanced. I believe that this report should be supported. However, it should be made clear that Turkey, just like any country seeking membership, needs to realise that it has not only rights, but also obligations. The citizens of Europe demand of Turkey respect for international law and convergence with the constitutional, economic, political and cultural
acquis communautaire
I would mention the need for full respect by Turkey of human, minority and religious rights and full implementation of the Copenhagen criteria. Furthermore, I do not understand the paradox of the Turkish stand, which calls for the vote of a Member State which it does not recognise.
Finally, Turkey needs to realise that its European prospects depend, first and foremost, on Turkey itself and on the stand which it will maintain on a large number of issues.

