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  • Turkish optimism?

    Turkish optimism?

    By Aram Ananian

    Yerkir/am
    September 17, 2004

    Gunter Verheugen , EU Commissioner on Enlargement visited Turkey last
    week. The Commissioner's introductory visit will have a significant
    impact on the launch of accession talks for Turkey and the country's
    report on progress in proceeding with EU membership.

    Verheugen 's visit reminds of Gogol's `Inspectorâ=80=9D - on the one
    hand, the EU Commissioner is trying to make general statements and put
    forward neutral arguments to make the Turks understand that they still
    have a long way to go before they can become EU member.

    The Turks, in their turn, are trying to convince Europe that they have
    already done their best to meet the Copenhagen criteria for EU
    membership.

    Verheugen 's visit included meetings with public officials,
    representatives of the civil society, local authorities in the regions
    and the population.

    The first procedural meetings were held with prime-minister Erdogan
    and foreign minister Gull. At these meetings, Verheugen reaffirmed his
    support for Turkey's membership in the EU, Turkish newspaper
    `Akshamâ=80=9D states. After the meeting with Erdogan, the
    Commissioner pointed out that Turkey has made significant
    progress. Nevertheless, Verheugen also stated that Turkey needs time
    to complete the reforms necessary for jopining the EU.

    Interestingly, Verheugen visited Diarbekir and Izmir where he met
    governor Nusret Miroglu, mayor Osman Baydemir as well as member of
    democratic party, ethnic Kurd ex-deputy Leila Zana who is currently
    under home detention.

    Diyarbakir has a large Kurdish population and the EU Commissioner had
    a good opportunity of getting a better understanding of the problems
    the Kurds are facing especially that a meeting with the
    representatives of local NGOâ=80=99s was scheduled during the visit.

    Minority issues are most likely to be the core issue during the
    accession talks. Even though Turkey has tried to meet some of the
    Copenhagen criteriait has neglected minority issues. Turkish newspaper
    Zaman has quoted Verheugenas saying that minority issues will be
    reflected in the report. Verheugen stated Turkey still has a lot to do
    in this sphere.

    During his visit, Verheugen has pointed to the necessity of granting
    the Kurds more comprehensive cultural and social rights. This means
    that Turkeysimply overlooks the problems of religious minorities. The
    Turkish public administration machine is having problems with
    adjusting to the realities and norms accepted in the civilized
    world. The official Ankara has not changed its approach of neglecting
    problems it does not want to address.

    According to Turkish newspaper sources, Verheugen discussed accession
    issues with representatives of NGO's in Diyarbakir . He also visited a
    Kurdish village. Answering the journalists' questions at Ataturk
    airport inIstanbul, Verheugen called the Turkish government to pay
    more attention to the situation in South-Eastern Anatolia specifically
    ensuring more comprehensive cultural rights for the Kurds and
    undertaking the necessary measures for economic development of the
    region.

    Verheugen stated that despite some drawbacks, Turkey has accomplished
    political reforms and is now trying to consolidate them. One of the
    most important issues in the Turkish progress report is the creation
    of a Christian spiritual lyceum.

    Strange enough, the issue is on the agenda of Turkey's Security
    Council. In other words, Turkey believes that the spiritual education
    of the religious leaders of minorities can seriously threaten Turkey's
    national security.

    According to Turkish newspaper sources, Verheugen has also met with
    the representatives of religious minorities. Verheugen has expressed
    his satisfaction with Turkey's efforts to join the EU noting that the
    progress report will be objective and unbiased. He noted that
    religious freedom will necessarily be included in Turkey's progress
    report.

    The Turkish press has broadly addressed the activities of a joint
    Independent Committee on Turkey established by the British Council and
    Open Society Institute. This Committee includes ex-heads of state,
    foreign ministers, EU Commissioners and other high-ranked officials.

    The Committee's publication of a report on Turkey's accession to the
    EU coincided with Verheugen 's visit. The report stated that
    accessiontalks with Turkey can start only after it has met the
    Copenhagen criteria. The Committee members stated that it is necessary
    to clarify the issue of accession negotiations with Turkey since
    otherwise the EU will lose Turkey's trust.

    The Committee has noted that the EU has to treat Turkey in an unbiased
    and respectful way. The report was presented by Finish ex-president
    Marti Ahtisaari. He stated that a `silent revolution' has taken place
    in Turkey in the last few years driven by the determination to join
    the EU.

    What are Turkey's real chances of joining the EU? Turkish
    newspaper`Radical' concludes its analysis of the question by stating
    that Turkey's comparative advantage is its relatively young
    population, the geographical location and the strong army.

    Another optimistic article published in `Radical' newspaperassures
    that the report to be published by the EU Commission will finally
    clarify the date for launching the accession negotiations. The
    newspaper's optimism derives from Verheugen 's assurance that the
    report to be presented to the Commission will be unbiased. Turks seem
    to really believe that their country is European and that they are
    facing double standards when the issue comes to the country's
    membership in the European Union.

    The newspaper quotes foreign minister Gull's statement that he is
    expecting a `great decision' from Europe and that Turkey is even more
    interested in consistency in implementing reforms than Europe.

    A similar opinion has been expressed in all the major Turkish
    newspapers. Turkey's ex-foreign minister Ilter Turkman has pointed
    out that minority issues are among Europe's top priorities. He noted
    that even though Greeceis formally supporting Turkey's membership in
    the EU, it is playing a double game by constantly bringing up the
    issue of the property of religious organizations, spiritual centers
    and the Orthodox church.

    Mehmed Ali Birand, an experienced journalist, noted that the European
    officials' visits do not mean anything since they promise to start
    accession talks while at the same time stating that the start of the
    accession talks does not mean membership. Their position is that
    Turkey can become EU member in 10-15 years. Finally, the European
    officials state that even 15 years is not enough for Turkey.

    This means that some segments of the Turkish society have come to
    understand that Brussels is not satisfied with Turkey's efforts to
    join the EU. This can potentially result in two developments. The less
    likely scenario is that Turkey will try to improve its performance in
    terms of democratic reforms.

    The other option is that the Turks will get tired of efforts to join
    the EU and will adjust to a compromise which will not mean membership
    in the EU but some kind of special relations with Europe (for instance
    a more comprehensive customs union).

    Publications in other Turkish newspapers reveal that there are some
    new pre-conditions for Turkey's membership including the addressing
    theissues of unemployment, stopping emigration from South-Eastern
    Anatolia, legal regulation of adultery and creation of customs union
    with Cyprus.

    In other words, Europe is taking its time with Turkey's membership.
    Interestingly, the French and German media coverage of Verheugen
    'svisit to Turkey was more pessimistic than the publications in the
    Turkish media.

    We believe the report to be presented to the European Commission will
    be positive but not as optimistic as the Turks would like to see
    it. The Commission will probably decide to address the launch of the
    accession talks next year.
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