Turkey should only be allowed to join the European Union once it has met the standards for democracy and human rights set by member states as a condition for its entry, Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald claimed tonight.
As European Commission officials recommended that talks should begin on the possibility of Turkey joining the EU, Ms McDonald said the country would have to improve its human rights record and its treatment of the Kurds.
The Dublin MEP said: "Sinn Fein looks forward to a time when Turkey can enter the EU as a full and equal member.
"Turkish membership can only enhance cultural diversity within the EU.
"However, Turkey has an appalling human rights record. It continues to militarily occupy Cyprus and has denied the Kurdish people their right to self-determination.
"Sinn Féin believes that entry into the EU must be subject to their adherence to the `Copenhagen Criteria' on democracy and respect for human rights."
During the Danish presidency of the EU in 1993, basic standards for EU membership were set at a European Council meeting in Copenhagen.
The Copenhagen Criteria stated: "(EU) Membership requires that the candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and, protection of minorities, the existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union.
"Membership presupposes the candidate's ability to take on the obligations of membership including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union."
European Commission officials recommend today talks should open not just with Turkey but also Bulgaria and Romania. Croatia is also expected to begin negotiations next year.
However the final decision on whether Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania will be allowed to join will be made by the leaders of the 25 EU member states in December.
MEPs were told by outgoing Commission president Romano Prodi they had given a "qualified yes" to Turkey's membership.
"It's flanked with a whole series of recommendations for monitoring and verifying what the situation is actually like," he insisted.
Mr Prodi also said Turkey would have to improve its human rights record if its membership bid was to be successful.
Ms McDonald claimed tonight Turkey would have to undergo a major shift in policy if it was to meet EU requirements.
However the Dublin MEP also hit out at scaremongering about the possible influx of Turkish immigrants into other member states if it was allowed to join, claiming it was xenophobic.
She said: "I would emphasise that Marrti Ahtisaari, former Finnish President and head of an independent commission investigating Turkish membership to the EU, has said that fears of an influx of immigrants to the EU are `vastly exaggerated'.
"I would also remind people that these same concerns were raised before and during the recent accession process with respect to Eastern European migration, and there is no indication that anything of the sort occurred.
"Sinn Féin remains to be convinced that Turkey are up to the challenge of promoting a fully inclusive and human rights compliant society."
PA