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ANKARA: Is this how to Treat a Future Partner?

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  • ANKARA: Is this how to Treat a Future Partner?

    Zaman Online, Turkey
    July 4 2005

    Is this how to Treat a Future Partner?

    TAMER KORKMAZ

    There is no surprise on the Western front. An announcement made by
    the EU Commission on June 29 confirmed that Turkey's negotiation
    process will begin on October 3 and that the common goal will be
    "full membership" under a "draft framework."


    Turkey's opponents targeted the October 3 date after the referenda on
    the EU Constitution, however, it was impossible for the EU to reneg
    on its December 17 promise. Having had our roadmap clarified by the
    "Draft Negotiation Framework," our situation resembles that of a
    soccer team that is relieved after winning an easy match, because its
    past is full of consecutive defeats.

    EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn reminds us that our full
    membership is not something guaranteed, by pointing out that the
    privileged partnership discussion will also continue in the years
    ahead.

    Our membership is not possible before 2014. French President
    [Jacques] Chirac had mentioned "2020" a few months ago, however, most
    recently, European Socialist Party leader Rasmussen said Turkey's
    integration into the EU might drag on until 2025 or 2030!

    Our membership date is being adjourned day after day just like a
    court trial. They seem to talking about a science fiction adventure
    when they are talking about our EU journey!

    It is being carefully emphasized that our negotiation process will be
    very difficult and will take a long time. If they see serious
    violations, the "open-ended" full membership target might be
    suspended. German magazine Die Welt reports that paranoia and
    intolerance are widely seen between the lines of the so-called draft
    negotiation framework. It is right. The magazine says the first
    sentence of the draft framework, which puts the responsibility for
    success or failure on Turkey, is in fact, an invitation to privileged
    partnership. (Recently, Die Welt also attracted attention by asking
    what Turkey's role was in an EU that is about to sink).

    Those, who view the EU Commission's statement as equivocal language,
    make up the majority in the European media. Let's ask as an Austrian
    newspaper: Is this how to treat a future partner?

    Turkey secured the October 3 date, nonetheless, this should never
    create an illusion because the reality starts after October 3.

    An analysis published in The Times three days ago, said Turkey's EU
    membership dreams should be killed during the membership negotiation
    process! It is clearly evident that this strategy has been reflected
    exactly on the draft negotiation framework.

    The referenda in France and The Netherlands seriously hit the
    enlargement process, hence, our full membership. Our opponents in
    Europe say let's finally admit Bulgaria and Romania (in 2007) and
    then shut the door on enlargement. They want us to fall into the
    situation of fans, who have been standing in line for hours to buy a
    ticket for a derby match, and when their turn comes, the ticket
    office window is suddenly slammed in their faces. The commentary in
    The Times indicates that several EU diplomats believe the referenda
    results made the killing of Turkey's membership inevitable; but
    because no politician wants to be accused of murder, it might be a
    slow death! This is not for nothing. This analysis realistically
    portrays the course of the "EU-style Western."

    We all saw that only Britain supported Turkey at the EU leaders'
    summit two weeks ago (June 16-17). Even Chirac had to take a step
    back. As a matter of fact, it is a high probability that Nicolas
    Sarkozy is about to appear on the stage as the protagonist and say,
    "let enlargement be suspended!" whenever he opens his mouth.

    Apparently, they will put many unprecedented obstacles before us
    during the negotiation process. For example, the Armenian issue...It is
    certain that Turkey will not throw in the towel on the EU journey. It
    should continue its EU bid in a steadfast manner; however, Ankara has
    to stand up against possible "Twilight Zone" demands.
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