{"database": "openregs", "table": "congressional_record", "rows": [["CREC-2006-12-08-pt1-PgE2144", "2006-12-08", 109, 2, null, null, "TURKEY", "HOUSE", "EXTENSIONS", "ALLOTHER", "E2144", "E2144", "[{\"name\": \"Joe Knollenberg\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "152 Cong. Rec. E2144", "Congressional Record, Volume 152 Issue 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]\n[Extensions of Remarks]\n[Page E2144]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                                 TURKEY\n\n                                 ______\n\n                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG\n\n                              of michigan\n\n                    in the house of representatives\n\n                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006\n\n  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I encourage Turkey to honor their\ncommitments and implement important economic, regional, and political\nadvancements in order to gain membership in the European Union (EU).\n  Today, December 6, 2006, marks an important deadline in the pursuit\nof international partnership and cooperation. Turkey must begin to\ndemonstrate to the EU and the international community that it is\nwilling to implement changes in its policy prior to the Ascension\nSummit, where it will be decided whether Turkey may continue toward EU\nmembership. The significance of this deadline is undeniable; Turkey\nmust decide: do they continue to pursue a policy which alienates and\nimpedes other nations? Or, do they adopt policy changes to join an\nimportant international cooperative body.\n  It is a well-known fact the regional policies of Turkey cause strain\nin the South Caucasus region and unfairly harms the welfare of their\nneighbor country, Armenia. The European Union has repeatedly called for\nthe cessation of the Turkish Blockade of Armenia as well as\nnormalization of relations between the countries. However, these two\npre-conditions to entering the EU have been blatantly ignored by\nTurkey. The blockade, now in its thirteenth year, is the only blockade\nof a fellow Council of Europe state. This is simply unacceptable, and I\nimplore the EU to stand firm in their recommendations to Turkey in\norder to ensure these iniquitous economic practices are eliminated.\n  Mr. Speaker, Armenia is a friend of the United States; and too many\ncountries throughout the world. Yet, Turkey refuses to see the benefits\nArmenia brings to the South Caucasus region. This refusal has led to\nfierce tension within the region, as well as unfair economic outcomes\nthat only harm Armenia. Before Turkey can become a member of the\nEuropean Union, they must first acknowledge their mistakes, foster\ncooperation in the South Caucasus region, and respect their neighbor,\nArmenia.\n  I encourage the European Parliament to consider the ramifications of\nTurkey's actions before granting them membership to the EU. The purpose\nof the EU is to create economic, political and most importantly\nregional cooperation between nations with similar interests. Turkey,\nwith a history of bullying their neighbor, does not deserve membership\nuntil they change their ways.\n\n                          ____________________"]], "columns": ["granule_id", "date", "congress", "session", "volume", "issue", "title", "chamber", "granule_class", "sub_granule_class", "page_start", "page_end", "speakers", "bills", "citation", "full_text"], "primary_keys": ["granule_id"], "primary_key_values": ["CREC-2006-12-08-pt1-PgE2144"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 4.593938821926713, "source": "Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/developers/api/v1", "license": "Public Domain (U.S. Government data)", "license_url": "https://www.regulations.gov/faq"}