Possible Setback to Turkey's EU Accession

Turkey and the European Union (EU) formally opened accession negotiations in October 2005.  One of the conditions the EU has set for Turkey's accession to the Union is the improvement in respect for rights of non-Muslim communities. The Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation issued a report this past Saturday: "The Story of Alien(ation): Real Estate Ownership Problems of Non-Muslim Foundations and Communities in Turkey."  The report suggests that Turkey has not done enough to improve property rights for religious minorities to meet the EU's requirements.  Such a failure is likely to further delay Turkey's accession to the EU.

(cgb)