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TURKEY MOVING IN RIGHT DIRECTION, TOWARD EU
By Graham Watson
Today's Zaman
Sept 16 2008
Turkey
Turkey has long wanted to enter the European Union, but this week
the European Union -- or at least a little bit of it -- is coming
to Turkey.
I am proud to be leading a delegation of senior members from my
political group to one of the most fascinating and culturally rich
countries on our continent. We are in Ankara for talks with President
Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and representatives
of Turkey's political parties and civil society -- and our message
will be clear and simple. Last month's court ruling in favor of the
Justice and Development Party (AK party) has presented Turkey and
its government with a unique opportunity. The government has been
boosted, political certainty has been increased and the country has
the opportunity to pursue reform. Now is the time to press ahead
with the domestic changes necessary for integration with Europe,
and now is also the moment for Turkey to assume a firm and ambitious
foreign policy role in the region. These aims are not merely goods in
themselves -- they are the best way to show those that doubt Turkey's
European vocation that the union needs Turkey just as much as Turkey
would benefit from the Union. This is a modernizing country, a stable
actor and a true partner in the quest for peace and prosperity.
In foreign affairs, Turkey has taken a number of positive steps in
recent times. I look forward to personally congratulating President Gul
for accepting an invitation to attend the football match in Yerevan on
Sept. 6. This was a positive indicator that we all hope will lead to
improved relations between Turkey and Armenia. For Turkey's friends
in Europe it serves as a valuable argument that Turkey is serious
about healing old wounds and finding a constructive way forward. I
hope that Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan's reciprocal participation
in the next match in Turkey will lead to real diplomatic progress.
I also look forward to further discussing the Turkish initiative for a
"Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform." This should complement
the EU's efforts to increase regional cooperation around the Black
Sea. The recent war in Georgia was a very clear illustration that
when unresolved conflicts are simply set aside, they may well boil
over into violence at short notice. Diplomatic and political methods
are essential, and it is pleasing that Turkey appears eager to help
find solutions to the ongoing tensions in that region. It will also
be interesting to hear more from the Turkish government about the
role that it is playing in the Middle East, following Prime Minister
Erdogan's participation in the Damascus summit on Sept. 4.
Given its geopolitical orientation, a Turkey that is willing to
play an active and constructive foreign policy role in the Caucasus,
the Black Sea region and the Middle East is a Turkey that deserves
credit for its bravery and encouragement for its constructive stance.
Of course, no examination of Turkey's foreign policy is complete
without consideration of Cyprus. The re-launching of talks aimed
at finding a solution to this long-running issue is yet another
encouraging development. An end to the division of Cyprus is the
ultimate goal and will, of course, greatly facilitate Turkey's
relations with the Union. It would also bring to a final end a shameful
chapter in European history -- divisions, walls and barriers should
be a thing of the past in Europe.
Regarding domestic policy, I hope that the Turkish government will
press ahead with a comprehensive modernizing agenda. Turkey would
benefit from compliance with the acquis and reform of the Constitution
and the penal code. The revision to Article 301 earlier this year was
a positive step, but its text continues to prescribe prison sentences
to those who insult the state and its organs of government. That is
troubling to other European nations and is incompatible with liberal
democracy. Mature democratic states should have the self-confidence
to absorb criticism from within. The Turkish state is legitimate --
it should be able to withstand peaceful expressions of opinion from
its own citizens.
Similarly, it would also be a positive development for the government
to encourage open, public debate on political issues. Wide-ranging
engagement with opposition parties and civil society organizations
can only energize society and strengthen democratic participation
within Turkey. It might also help to dispel the current tendency
to see plots and conspiracies behind what are actually innocent
political initiatives.
But the reform process in Turkey is not only about changing the law. It
also requires those who enforce it -- the police and the judiciary --
to implement those reforms in the spirit with which they were intended.
After all, it is true that Turkey has taken welcome steps to improve
women's legal rights, but those rights are not fully enforced in all
sections of society. Partly, it will require time for a new ethos
to take root, but that process would benefit from clear political
direction from the top. It must be clearly understood that government
reforms are real and meaningful, and not optional extras. The European
Union, after all, requires its members to both adopt and enforce
proper legal protection against discrimination for every one of its
citizens. If Turkey wants to join the European Union, it must show
that it understands and embraces that approach.
The Turkish accession process has been both long and difficult. But
21 years after Turkey's formal membership application, I am optimistic
that there is now the will and the means to move swiftly in the right
direction. Certainly, the prize is worth the effort.
By Graham Watson
Today's Zaman
Sept 16 2008
Turkey
Turkey has long wanted to enter the European Union, but this week
the European Union -- or at least a little bit of it -- is coming
to Turkey.
I am proud to be leading a delegation of senior members from my
political group to one of the most fascinating and culturally rich
countries on our continent. We are in Ankara for talks with President
Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and representatives
of Turkey's political parties and civil society -- and our message
will be clear and simple. Last month's court ruling in favor of the
Justice and Development Party (AK party) has presented Turkey and
its government with a unique opportunity. The government has been
boosted, political certainty has been increased and the country has
the opportunity to pursue reform. Now is the time to press ahead
with the domestic changes necessary for integration with Europe,
and now is also the moment for Turkey to assume a firm and ambitious
foreign policy role in the region. These aims are not merely goods in
themselves -- they are the best way to show those that doubt Turkey's
European vocation that the union needs Turkey just as much as Turkey
would benefit from the Union. This is a modernizing country, a stable
actor and a true partner in the quest for peace and prosperity.
In foreign affairs, Turkey has taken a number of positive steps in
recent times. I look forward to personally congratulating President Gul
for accepting an invitation to attend the football match in Yerevan on
Sept. 6. This was a positive indicator that we all hope will lead to
improved relations between Turkey and Armenia. For Turkey's friends
in Europe it serves as a valuable argument that Turkey is serious
about healing old wounds and finding a constructive way forward. I
hope that Armenian President Serzh Sarksyan's reciprocal participation
in the next match in Turkey will lead to real diplomatic progress.
I also look forward to further discussing the Turkish initiative for a
"Caucasus Stability and Cooperation Platform." This should complement
the EU's efforts to increase regional cooperation around the Black
Sea. The recent war in Georgia was a very clear illustration that
when unresolved conflicts are simply set aside, they may well boil
over into violence at short notice. Diplomatic and political methods
are essential, and it is pleasing that Turkey appears eager to help
find solutions to the ongoing tensions in that region. It will also
be interesting to hear more from the Turkish government about the
role that it is playing in the Middle East, following Prime Minister
Erdogan's participation in the Damascus summit on Sept. 4.
Given its geopolitical orientation, a Turkey that is willing to
play an active and constructive foreign policy role in the Caucasus,
the Black Sea region and the Middle East is a Turkey that deserves
credit for its bravery and encouragement for its constructive stance.
Of course, no examination of Turkey's foreign policy is complete
without consideration of Cyprus. The re-launching of talks aimed
at finding a solution to this long-running issue is yet another
encouraging development. An end to the division of Cyprus is the
ultimate goal and will, of course, greatly facilitate Turkey's
relations with the Union. It would also bring to a final end a shameful
chapter in European history -- divisions, walls and barriers should
be a thing of the past in Europe.
Regarding domestic policy, I hope that the Turkish government will
press ahead with a comprehensive modernizing agenda. Turkey would
benefit from compliance with the acquis and reform of the Constitution
and the penal code. The revision to Article 301 earlier this year was
a positive step, but its text continues to prescribe prison sentences
to those who insult the state and its organs of government. That is
troubling to other European nations and is incompatible with liberal
democracy. Mature democratic states should have the self-confidence
to absorb criticism from within. The Turkish state is legitimate --
it should be able to withstand peaceful expressions of opinion from
its own citizens.
Similarly, it would also be a positive development for the government
to encourage open, public debate on political issues. Wide-ranging
engagement with opposition parties and civil society organizations
can only energize society and strengthen democratic participation
within Turkey. It might also help to dispel the current tendency
to see plots and conspiracies behind what are actually innocent
political initiatives.
But the reform process in Turkey is not only about changing the law. It
also requires those who enforce it -- the police and the judiciary --
to implement those reforms in the spirit with which they were intended.
After all, it is true that Turkey has taken welcome steps to improve
women's legal rights, but those rights are not fully enforced in all
sections of society. Partly, it will require time for a new ethos
to take root, but that process would benefit from clear political
direction from the top. It must be clearly understood that government
reforms are real and meaningful, and not optional extras. The European
Union, after all, requires its members to both adopt and enforce
proper legal protection against discrimination for every one of its
citizens. If Turkey wants to join the European Union, it must show
that it understands and embraces that approach.
The Turkish accession process has been both long and difficult. But
21 years after Turkey's formal membership application, I am optimistic
that there is now the will and the means to move swiftly in the right
direction. Certainly, the prize is worth the effort.