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TURKEY-EUROPEAN UNION RELATIONS ON PARTIES' AGENDAS
Today's Zaman, Turkey
July 6 2007
High-ranking officials from the major political parties reveal their
EU policies in articles written exclusively for Today's Zaman readers.
AK Party's Suat Kýnýklýoðlu: Turkey needs better communication with
EU member states in addition to explaining its case to the European
public. We are cognizant of this fact and intend to adopt a proactive
approach in communicating better with our fellow Europeans. We ought
to shift the debate to more comprehensive European issues such as
energy security, terrorism and immigration/integration as well as
the Constitution.
CHP's Onur Oymen: Certainly democracy and human rights, or the
Copenhagen criteria, are required for a country with modernization
goals. You have to implement these to become a modern country. But,
with or without the EU, these are values that a modern country must
have. But then there are issues that depend solely on membership. For
example if Turkey is not going to become an EU member then there is
no need to strictly follow the criteria.
MHP's Oktay Vural: A story of blackmail, preconditions, unfair requests
and pressures manifests itself when analyzing the recent past of
Turkey-EU relations. The EU almost perceives Turkey as a handicapped
country and it has been continuously excluded. This unhealthy structure
will become gangrenous, and a crisis and fracture in relations will
be inevitable.
DP's Caðrý Erhan: We see membership of the EU as a means, not an end.
We reject any sort of imposition that will put Turkey's independence,
national sovereignty, unity, integrity or border security at stake --
the impositions that are not included in the Copenhagen criteria and
that are not asked of any other country. We hereby proclaim that we
will not negotiate under ever-changing and additional conditions that
have not been imposed on any other country before us.
TURKEY-EU TIES
AK Party: Communication is key to Turkey's EU drive
Turkey's quest to join the European Union is progressing with its
ups and downs, particularly since 2002. The process has been fragile
especially since resistance towards Turkey's full membership has become
more organized and vocal in some member states. Yet Turkey has pursued
a determined policy to continue the negotiation process in good faith.
One aspect that needs improvement in Turkey's EU strategy is the
communication dimension. Turkey needs to communicate better with
member states and explain its case better to the European public. We
Turks are not generally endowed with public relations genes, and have
traditionally not been able to communicate effectively on issues that
are dear to our external relations. That said, there is a pronounced
determination to remedy this situation after the July 22 election.
Turkey intends to embrace the European debate and actively participate
in it. We also want to move away the focus of the EU-Turkey debate
exclusively on the membership issue at this stage.
We ought to shift the debate to more comprehensive European issues such
as energy security, terrorism and immigration/integration as well as
the constitution. We intend to provide Turkish perspectives on these
issues and actively take part in the discussion of the future of a
common Europe. Turkey wants to engage with other Europeans on these
important issues with an understanding that we will cohabit the same
geopolitical and geo-economic space, independent of the end result
of our own EU journey.
Should the AK Party obtain another mandate in the July 22 election
one should expect that the EU drive will be re-energized, and
Turkey will therefore spend significant political capital to push the
negotiation drive forcefully. Our new communication strategy will play
a significant part of this re-energized effort. Turkey will take the
Turkey debate to European capitals and engage fellow Europeans with
an understanding that we need to communicate with the European public
and elites.
There are a multitude of aspects that we have not been able to
communicate effectively to other Europeans. Historical prejudices,
misinformation and sheer ignorance about Turkey and Turks will
be treated seriously and countered by a long-term communication
strategy. We intend to take this issue to a new level, and get out
proactively, so that our European friends may understand Turkey better.
We are convinced that once other Europeans are better informed about
Turks and Turkey, the membership issue will be discussed within a
rational framework and will be saved from the current prejudicial
context. Communication is destined to play a key role in Turkey's EU
process. We are cognizant of this fact and intend to adopt a proactive
approach in communicating better with our fellow Europeans.
* Dr. Suat Kýnýklýoðlu is AK Party candidate from Cankýrý.
European Union policies and the Democrat Party
Although it has been more than a year and a half since the negotiation
process with the European Union for full membership officially started,
it can be been seen that this period hasn't been efficient. The
negotiation process has unfortunately also taken on a political
quality, although it is normally based on a technical one.
The chief reasons for this and for eight negotiation chapters not
to have been opened is that the government was unable to handle
the process successfully, discrepancies among EU-member countries on
Turkey's acceptance into the union and the turbulence occurring in the
union. Today, intense and heated debates over Turkey's possible full
membership in the union are taking place in the EU's decision-making
mechanisms and in the EU public.
These debates are abused in the internal politics of EU-member
countries, and efforts to garner more votes using the Turkey debate are
rapidly increasing. In addition to the debates in EU-member countries,
Turkey is also sparking fierce debates in EU institutions.
A very striking example of this is the Turkey debates and reports in
the European Parliament (EP). The debates that take place within the
EU in both spheres and the statements and actions of those wishing
to reap personal gain from these debates have been met with a very
harsh reaction from the Turkish public. Within this context, Turkey's
EU policy should be reassessed with the point we have arrived at in
mind, through a realist viewpoint, not through sentimental reactions.
As the Democrat Party, we see membership in the EU as a means, not
as an end. Our goal is to carry Turkey above the level of modern
civilization. For this reason, relations with the EU should be set
back on the right track.
We don't accept the current negotiation process, which is "open-ended
and whose end cannot be guaranteed at the beginning" and which is
portrayed as a great success for Turkey.
The Democrat Party, which initiated Turkey's relations with the EU and
which will not shy away from taking determined steps to develop them,
defends Turkey's full membership in the EU within the context of the
Copenhagen criteria. And we altogether reject any sort of imposition
that will put Turkey's independence, national sovereignty, unity,
integrity or border security at stake -- the impositions that are
not included in the Copenhagen criteria and that are not asked of
any other country.
We hereby proclaim that we will not negotiate under ever-changing
and additional conditions that have not been imposed on any other
country before us.
At the beginning of the Democrat Party government, we will
simultaneously take two steps in regards to EU relations:
We will do what has never been done by the governments so far, and
we will consult with the people regarding the course of relations
with the EU. To this end, we will convene an Enlarged European Union
Forum with the participation of representatives from all political
parties, civil society organizations, democratic mass organizations
and academic institutions. At this forum, we will decide, with our
nation, what EU relations will include and in what sort of context.
We will also call on the EU to hold a summit whose only article on
the agenda will be the Turkey-EU relations. At this summit we will
demand that the "open-ended negotiation" method that was accepted by
the AK Party be changed.
The Democrat Party will not leave Turkey's fate at the mercy of
Brussels with an "open-ended" process, all parts of which are mined.
Turkey will be a full and an equal member of the European Union like
Germany, France, Italy and England.
Turkey doesn't have a single day left to waste.
* Dr. Caðrý Erhan is the deputy chairman of the Democrat Party and
a candidate from Ankara.
Relations with the European Union according to MHP
A story of blackmails, preconditions, unfair requests and pressures
manifests itself when analyzing the recent past of Turkey-European
Union relations. The EU nearly perceives Turkey as a handicapped
country. During this period, Turkey has been continuously excluded.
It is clear that the EU does not want to accept Turkey as a country
with the same rights as itself.
We have a reached a point where Turkey-EU relations are marked by
impositions, impasse, blackmail and preconditions.
As long as this awkward equilibrium in which Turkey-EU relations are
locked remains unchanged, it will not be possible to move ahead with
the process, and this diseased structure will become gangrenous and
a breakup will be called for.
The fission in the Cyprus issue experienced today is only the first
natural result of this unhealthy equation and morbid structure. The
fundamental problem is the EU's desire to impose this equation on
Turkey. In this regard, it is essential that the character, platform
and framework of Turkey-EU relations be redefined. These issues will
be discussed with the EU in an open, honest and sincere manner.
Turkey will not perceive its relations with the EU as an identity and
destiny problem. In this regard, no matter what the consequences may
be, Turkey is not obliged nor bound to follow the EU's orbit.
Under the current circumstances, "a period of strategic thinking"
is necessary for both parties to conduct a healthy, realistic and
good-intended evaluation.
The EU's first priority must be to conduct a serious and sincere
evaluation about its stance regarding Turkey's national unity and
solidarity, terror and separatism and its requests of Turkey over
the Cyprus, Greece and Armenia issues. Turkey-EU relations will be
freed from the imposing and one-sided victimizing axis and will be
settled on a healthy foundation.
* Dr. Oktay Vural is the former Transportation Minister, MHP deputy
leader and parliamentary candidate from Ýzmir's first electoral region.
Turkey-EU ties according to CHP
The Republican People's Party (CHP) has been supporting Turkey's
membership in the EU from the very beginning. But we see that some
countries, in particular France, have adopted policies to prevent
Turkey's membership. We believe the government has failed to take the
proper stance against these policies. In the past, the prime minister
and foreign affairs minister were keen to react to any sound from
Europe. During the time Prime Minister Erdoðan was devoted to the EU
process, he would take every European announcement and declaration
seriously and steer the discussion over to Turkey. But now French
President Sarkozy says Turkey will not become a full member of the EU,
and the prime minister says nothing. These issues have been left for
chief negotiator Ali Babacan to handle, but we don't hear anything
from him, either.
We warned this government when it embarked on a journey towards the
EU. We told them that the steps they were taking could create bad
results for Turkey; we told them to be careful and to see the facts.
But those facts became trump cards for circles that are against us.
The Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which fell into the
trap of the circles who tried to link the EU to the Cyprus problem,
thought the smallest concession over the Cyprus issue would open the
doors for Turkey's membership. But it is for this reason that Turkey
has become a country that endures everything. This relationship is
neither an equal partnership nor a future partnership relationship.
It was obvious months, even years, ago that these developments would
occur. But unfortunately, Turkey did not take precautionary measures.
France made amendments to the EU constitution to block Turkey's
membership, linking Turkey's membership to a referendum. But still
there is no reaction or refusal from Turkey. Former French President
Chirac said Turkey would not be able to join the EU until Turkey
acknowledged the Armenian genocide. Turkey did not have a reaction
to that, either. Now Sarkozy is carrying the same flag. Not only has
the prime minister failed to provide a response, but he asks people
not to bring this issue up in front of the press. In other words,
he does not reject the statements and requests, but he is disturbed
that they are mentioned before the press. It is hard to grasp the
mentality behind this stance and policy.
Now, a wave bearing an Armenian genocide bill is rolling throughout
Europe. Everyone is accepting the genocide. Before, Cyprus was always
on the agenda, but now it's the genocide. While they are thinking of
ways to prevent us from joining, we are doing nothing. We are not
even displaying a stance. But during the CHP administration, they
will see that Turkey is not without claim, not mute or unresponsive.
They will see that Turkey will not remain silent to actions made
against her. They will not be able to inflict such cheap injustices
on Turkey.
Unfortunately, Turkey's Cyprus policy has been transferred to the
EU, making the Cyprus issue collateral for Turkey-EU relations. The
decisions the government accepted during the 2004 summit play an
important role in this.
Now the government says, "Even if they do not accept us into the EU,
we will make the Copenhagen criteria Ankara's criteria and continue on
our way." Even if negotiation chapters are not opened, we will work
as if they have been. Is this the right way to express ourselves? It
can't be, because Turkey's reform project is nothing new. Achieving
the same standards as modern countries and surpassing them has been
Turkey's goal since Ataturk's time. Certainly, democracy and human
rights or the Copenhagen criteria are required for a country with such
goals. You have to implement these to become a modern country. But,
with or without the EU, these are values that a modern country must
have. But then there are issues that depend solely on membership. For
example, if Turkey is not going to become an EU member, then there
is no need to strictly follow the criteria.
Besides, Switzerland is in the center of Europe. Is Switzerland
following these criteria? Is Norway following them? No.
We have a customs union agreement with the EU, we use EU rates for
imports from Japan. If we are not going to become a member, then
why should we use these rates? If we are not going to enter the EU,
Turkey should establish its own tariffs and criteria. They think these
Maastricht Criteria are a global law and that all countries must follow
them. But that's not the case. They are the decisions of the EU made in
consideration of its own standards. Certainly if we become a member we
will follow it. There is no problem regarding that. But if they are not
going to accept us, then we have to choose our own stance and criteria.
*Onur Oymen is a retired ambassador, CHP deputy leader and candidate
from Bursa.
WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY?
Abdullah Deveci (53), merchant
I cannot think about the EU or the elections. As a citizen, I have
payments to make and problems to tackle. Yet I can say that a man and a
women having different lifestyles cannot or should not marry. A union
between Turkey and the EU is just like this. Can you see any Muslim
country in the EU? No. They do not accept us as we are Muslims, and
this is what is expected from them. I am not sure whether we should
enter or not.
***
Buldu Gozdemir (45), engineer
I am against the EU. I lived and studied in the EU between 1982 and
2000. I know how they see us. Racism is applied against Turks in the
EU. For instance, they are scared of an increasing number of Turkish
children, and they say that they will turn into a Turkish country.
The EU countries have no mines or resources, but they have industry.
They see Turkey as a market to which they can send their garbage goods.
***
Hakan Altuð (39), cell phone dealer
The biggest roadblock to our entry is our being Turks and Muslims.
Problems pertaining to Cyprus or France are secondary problems. They
will never accept us, and I think we are making futile efforts. We
can model ourselves on the EU with respect to things like using
solar energy, etc. In this respect, it would be good if we achieved
compliance with their criteria. But we must do it for development
purposes, not for entering the EU.
***
Atilla Fakýlý (22), student
We must gain access to the EU. But society is not ready for it. In
the face of resistance from the people, the government cannot work
enthusiastically toward this end. France's attitude is not important.
I don't think they will reject us when we are qualified to enter
the bloc. I don't think there are phobias toward us. There is no
essential blockade to our entry. The Armenian and Cyprus issues will
not affect us.
***
Orhan Celebi (29), special security officer
It would better if we had not taken Cyprus. We split Cyprus. The
Greek Cypriots have shown great progress while the only thing our
people have done is to make Denktaþ rich. Yet the people in Cyprus
are now aware of everything. The Justice and Development Party (AK
Party) has reversed the existing course of Cyprus policies. Even if
they have problems with the army, this too will change. The status
quo is having its final days.
--Boundary_(ID_p/CaUgu2+bHASgAAhfbybA)--
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Today's Zaman, Turkey
July 6 2007
High-ranking officials from the major political parties reveal their
EU policies in articles written exclusively for Today's Zaman readers.
AK Party's Suat Kýnýklýoðlu: Turkey needs better communication with
EU member states in addition to explaining its case to the European
public. We are cognizant of this fact and intend to adopt a proactive
approach in communicating better with our fellow Europeans. We ought
to shift the debate to more comprehensive European issues such as
energy security, terrorism and immigration/integration as well as
the Constitution.
CHP's Onur Oymen: Certainly democracy and human rights, or the
Copenhagen criteria, are required for a country with modernization
goals. You have to implement these to become a modern country. But,
with or without the EU, these are values that a modern country must
have. But then there are issues that depend solely on membership. For
example if Turkey is not going to become an EU member then there is
no need to strictly follow the criteria.
MHP's Oktay Vural: A story of blackmail, preconditions, unfair requests
and pressures manifests itself when analyzing the recent past of
Turkey-EU relations. The EU almost perceives Turkey as a handicapped
country and it has been continuously excluded. This unhealthy structure
will become gangrenous, and a crisis and fracture in relations will
be inevitable.
DP's Caðrý Erhan: We see membership of the EU as a means, not an end.
We reject any sort of imposition that will put Turkey's independence,
national sovereignty, unity, integrity or border security at stake --
the impositions that are not included in the Copenhagen criteria and
that are not asked of any other country. We hereby proclaim that we
will not negotiate under ever-changing and additional conditions that
have not been imposed on any other country before us.
TURKEY-EU TIES
AK Party: Communication is key to Turkey's EU drive
Turkey's quest to join the European Union is progressing with its
ups and downs, particularly since 2002. The process has been fragile
especially since resistance towards Turkey's full membership has become
more organized and vocal in some member states. Yet Turkey has pursued
a determined policy to continue the negotiation process in good faith.
One aspect that needs improvement in Turkey's EU strategy is the
communication dimension. Turkey needs to communicate better with
member states and explain its case better to the European public. We
Turks are not generally endowed with public relations genes, and have
traditionally not been able to communicate effectively on issues that
are dear to our external relations. That said, there is a pronounced
determination to remedy this situation after the July 22 election.
Turkey intends to embrace the European debate and actively participate
in it. We also want to move away the focus of the EU-Turkey debate
exclusively on the membership issue at this stage.
We ought to shift the debate to more comprehensive European issues such
as energy security, terrorism and immigration/integration as well as
the constitution. We intend to provide Turkish perspectives on these
issues and actively take part in the discussion of the future of a
common Europe. Turkey wants to engage with other Europeans on these
important issues with an understanding that we will cohabit the same
geopolitical and geo-economic space, independent of the end result
of our own EU journey.
Should the AK Party obtain another mandate in the July 22 election
one should expect that the EU drive will be re-energized, and
Turkey will therefore spend significant political capital to push the
negotiation drive forcefully. Our new communication strategy will play
a significant part of this re-energized effort. Turkey will take the
Turkey debate to European capitals and engage fellow Europeans with
an understanding that we need to communicate with the European public
and elites.
There are a multitude of aspects that we have not been able to
communicate effectively to other Europeans. Historical prejudices,
misinformation and sheer ignorance about Turkey and Turks will
be treated seriously and countered by a long-term communication
strategy. We intend to take this issue to a new level, and get out
proactively, so that our European friends may understand Turkey better.
We are convinced that once other Europeans are better informed about
Turks and Turkey, the membership issue will be discussed within a
rational framework and will be saved from the current prejudicial
context. Communication is destined to play a key role in Turkey's EU
process. We are cognizant of this fact and intend to adopt a proactive
approach in communicating better with our fellow Europeans.
* Dr. Suat Kýnýklýoðlu is AK Party candidate from Cankýrý.
European Union policies and the Democrat Party
Although it has been more than a year and a half since the negotiation
process with the European Union for full membership officially started,
it can be been seen that this period hasn't been efficient. The
negotiation process has unfortunately also taken on a political
quality, although it is normally based on a technical one.
The chief reasons for this and for eight negotiation chapters not
to have been opened is that the government was unable to handle
the process successfully, discrepancies among EU-member countries on
Turkey's acceptance into the union and the turbulence occurring in the
union. Today, intense and heated debates over Turkey's possible full
membership in the union are taking place in the EU's decision-making
mechanisms and in the EU public.
These debates are abused in the internal politics of EU-member
countries, and efforts to garner more votes using the Turkey debate are
rapidly increasing. In addition to the debates in EU-member countries,
Turkey is also sparking fierce debates in EU institutions.
A very striking example of this is the Turkey debates and reports in
the European Parliament (EP). The debates that take place within the
EU in both spheres and the statements and actions of those wishing
to reap personal gain from these debates have been met with a very
harsh reaction from the Turkish public. Within this context, Turkey's
EU policy should be reassessed with the point we have arrived at in
mind, through a realist viewpoint, not through sentimental reactions.
As the Democrat Party, we see membership in the EU as a means, not
as an end. Our goal is to carry Turkey above the level of modern
civilization. For this reason, relations with the EU should be set
back on the right track.
We don't accept the current negotiation process, which is "open-ended
and whose end cannot be guaranteed at the beginning" and which is
portrayed as a great success for Turkey.
The Democrat Party, which initiated Turkey's relations with the EU and
which will not shy away from taking determined steps to develop them,
defends Turkey's full membership in the EU within the context of the
Copenhagen criteria. And we altogether reject any sort of imposition
that will put Turkey's independence, national sovereignty, unity,
integrity or border security at stake -- the impositions that are
not included in the Copenhagen criteria and that are not asked of
any other country.
We hereby proclaim that we will not negotiate under ever-changing
and additional conditions that have not been imposed on any other
country before us.
At the beginning of the Democrat Party government, we will
simultaneously take two steps in regards to EU relations:
We will do what has never been done by the governments so far, and
we will consult with the people regarding the course of relations
with the EU. To this end, we will convene an Enlarged European Union
Forum with the participation of representatives from all political
parties, civil society organizations, democratic mass organizations
and academic institutions. At this forum, we will decide, with our
nation, what EU relations will include and in what sort of context.
We will also call on the EU to hold a summit whose only article on
the agenda will be the Turkey-EU relations. At this summit we will
demand that the "open-ended negotiation" method that was accepted by
the AK Party be changed.
The Democrat Party will not leave Turkey's fate at the mercy of
Brussels with an "open-ended" process, all parts of which are mined.
Turkey will be a full and an equal member of the European Union like
Germany, France, Italy and England.
Turkey doesn't have a single day left to waste.
* Dr. Caðrý Erhan is the deputy chairman of the Democrat Party and
a candidate from Ankara.
Relations with the European Union according to MHP
A story of blackmails, preconditions, unfair requests and pressures
manifests itself when analyzing the recent past of Turkey-European
Union relations. The EU nearly perceives Turkey as a handicapped
country. During this period, Turkey has been continuously excluded.
It is clear that the EU does not want to accept Turkey as a country
with the same rights as itself.
We have a reached a point where Turkey-EU relations are marked by
impositions, impasse, blackmail and preconditions.
As long as this awkward equilibrium in which Turkey-EU relations are
locked remains unchanged, it will not be possible to move ahead with
the process, and this diseased structure will become gangrenous and
a breakup will be called for.
The fission in the Cyprus issue experienced today is only the first
natural result of this unhealthy equation and morbid structure. The
fundamental problem is the EU's desire to impose this equation on
Turkey. In this regard, it is essential that the character, platform
and framework of Turkey-EU relations be redefined. These issues will
be discussed with the EU in an open, honest and sincere manner.
Turkey will not perceive its relations with the EU as an identity and
destiny problem. In this regard, no matter what the consequences may
be, Turkey is not obliged nor bound to follow the EU's orbit.
Under the current circumstances, "a period of strategic thinking"
is necessary for both parties to conduct a healthy, realistic and
good-intended evaluation.
The EU's first priority must be to conduct a serious and sincere
evaluation about its stance regarding Turkey's national unity and
solidarity, terror and separatism and its requests of Turkey over
the Cyprus, Greece and Armenia issues. Turkey-EU relations will be
freed from the imposing and one-sided victimizing axis and will be
settled on a healthy foundation.
* Dr. Oktay Vural is the former Transportation Minister, MHP deputy
leader and parliamentary candidate from Ýzmir's first electoral region.
Turkey-EU ties according to CHP
The Republican People's Party (CHP) has been supporting Turkey's
membership in the EU from the very beginning. But we see that some
countries, in particular France, have adopted policies to prevent
Turkey's membership. We believe the government has failed to take the
proper stance against these policies. In the past, the prime minister
and foreign affairs minister were keen to react to any sound from
Europe. During the time Prime Minister Erdoðan was devoted to the EU
process, he would take every European announcement and declaration
seriously and steer the discussion over to Turkey. But now French
President Sarkozy says Turkey will not become a full member of the EU,
and the prime minister says nothing. These issues have been left for
chief negotiator Ali Babacan to handle, but we don't hear anything
from him, either.
We warned this government when it embarked on a journey towards the
EU. We told them that the steps they were taking could create bad
results for Turkey; we told them to be careful and to see the facts.
But those facts became trump cards for circles that are against us.
The Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which fell into the
trap of the circles who tried to link the EU to the Cyprus problem,
thought the smallest concession over the Cyprus issue would open the
doors for Turkey's membership. But it is for this reason that Turkey
has become a country that endures everything. This relationship is
neither an equal partnership nor a future partnership relationship.
It was obvious months, even years, ago that these developments would
occur. But unfortunately, Turkey did not take precautionary measures.
France made amendments to the EU constitution to block Turkey's
membership, linking Turkey's membership to a referendum. But still
there is no reaction or refusal from Turkey. Former French President
Chirac said Turkey would not be able to join the EU until Turkey
acknowledged the Armenian genocide. Turkey did not have a reaction
to that, either. Now Sarkozy is carrying the same flag. Not only has
the prime minister failed to provide a response, but he asks people
not to bring this issue up in front of the press. In other words,
he does not reject the statements and requests, but he is disturbed
that they are mentioned before the press. It is hard to grasp the
mentality behind this stance and policy.
Now, a wave bearing an Armenian genocide bill is rolling throughout
Europe. Everyone is accepting the genocide. Before, Cyprus was always
on the agenda, but now it's the genocide. While they are thinking of
ways to prevent us from joining, we are doing nothing. We are not
even displaying a stance. But during the CHP administration, they
will see that Turkey is not without claim, not mute or unresponsive.
They will see that Turkey will not remain silent to actions made
against her. They will not be able to inflict such cheap injustices
on Turkey.
Unfortunately, Turkey's Cyprus policy has been transferred to the
EU, making the Cyprus issue collateral for Turkey-EU relations. The
decisions the government accepted during the 2004 summit play an
important role in this.
Now the government says, "Even if they do not accept us into the EU,
we will make the Copenhagen criteria Ankara's criteria and continue on
our way." Even if negotiation chapters are not opened, we will work
as if they have been. Is this the right way to express ourselves? It
can't be, because Turkey's reform project is nothing new. Achieving
the same standards as modern countries and surpassing them has been
Turkey's goal since Ataturk's time. Certainly, democracy and human
rights or the Copenhagen criteria are required for a country with such
goals. You have to implement these to become a modern country. But,
with or without the EU, these are values that a modern country must
have. But then there are issues that depend solely on membership. For
example, if Turkey is not going to become an EU member, then there
is no need to strictly follow the criteria.
Besides, Switzerland is in the center of Europe. Is Switzerland
following these criteria? Is Norway following them? No.
We have a customs union agreement with the EU, we use EU rates for
imports from Japan. If we are not going to become a member, then
why should we use these rates? If we are not going to enter the EU,
Turkey should establish its own tariffs and criteria. They think these
Maastricht Criteria are a global law and that all countries must follow
them. But that's not the case. They are the decisions of the EU made in
consideration of its own standards. Certainly if we become a member we
will follow it. There is no problem regarding that. But if they are not
going to accept us, then we have to choose our own stance and criteria.
*Onur Oymen is a retired ambassador, CHP deputy leader and candidate
from Bursa.
WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY?
Abdullah Deveci (53), merchant
I cannot think about the EU or the elections. As a citizen, I have
payments to make and problems to tackle. Yet I can say that a man and a
women having different lifestyles cannot or should not marry. A union
between Turkey and the EU is just like this. Can you see any Muslim
country in the EU? No. They do not accept us as we are Muslims, and
this is what is expected from them. I am not sure whether we should
enter or not.
***
Buldu Gozdemir (45), engineer
I am against the EU. I lived and studied in the EU between 1982 and
2000. I know how they see us. Racism is applied against Turks in the
EU. For instance, they are scared of an increasing number of Turkish
children, and they say that they will turn into a Turkish country.
The EU countries have no mines or resources, but they have industry.
They see Turkey as a market to which they can send their garbage goods.
***
Hakan Altuð (39), cell phone dealer
The biggest roadblock to our entry is our being Turks and Muslims.
Problems pertaining to Cyprus or France are secondary problems. They
will never accept us, and I think we are making futile efforts. We
can model ourselves on the EU with respect to things like using
solar energy, etc. In this respect, it would be good if we achieved
compliance with their criteria. But we must do it for development
purposes, not for entering the EU.
***
Atilla Fakýlý (22), student
We must gain access to the EU. But society is not ready for it. In
the face of resistance from the people, the government cannot work
enthusiastically toward this end. France's attitude is not important.
I don't think they will reject us when we are qualified to enter
the bloc. I don't think there are phobias toward us. There is no
essential blockade to our entry. The Armenian and Cyprus issues will
not affect us.
***
Orhan Celebi (29), special security officer
It would better if we had not taken Cyprus. We split Cyprus. The
Greek Cypriots have shown great progress while the only thing our
people have done is to make Denktaþ rich. Yet the people in Cyprus
are now aware of everything. The Justice and Development Party (AK
Party) has reversed the existing course of Cyprus policies. Even if
they have problems with the army, this too will change. The status
quo is having its final days.
--Boundary_(ID_p/CaUgu2+bHASgAAhfbybA)--
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress