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EDITORIAL: TURKEY AND EUROPE
February 13, 2013 6:20 pm
Both sides would benefit from reviving accession talks If France's
decision to start dismantling roadblocks to Turkey's membership of
the EU, erected by Nicolas Sarkozy before he lost the presidency to
Francois Hollande, is genuine, it is an overdue step towards sanity
in managing a vital European relationship.
There are still huge hurdles, especially the poisonous politics
swirling around the divided island of Cyprus, which could well bar
the door to the Turks. But whether Turkey eventually joins the EU
is less important than that it finishes its transformation into a
vibrant democracy, dynamic economy and admired regional power.
The paralysis in the accession talks, now in their seventh year, has
shut down a formidable engine of renewal and reform. Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister, hints at abandoning the European
quest. President Abdullah Gul, whom he will probably replace next
year, believes Ankara must stay on the EU path to complete its
modernisation. The enthusiasm of Turkish voters for Europe - which
tracks Mr Erdogan's volatile moods - is fast evaporating.
This is a chance for the EU to revitalise relations with a country
in which Islam and democracy cohabit, at a time when it is fumbling
with upheavals on its Mediterranean and Muslim periphery.
For all its recent China-style economic growth rates, Turkey too
should realise the extent to which its dynamism depends on advancing
integration with the EU. Turkey's trade has diversified impressively
but three-quarters of its foreign direct investment still comes
from the EU. More than 14,000 European companies are in Turkey and,
unlike most of the country's partners, they transfer technology. These
companies, about half from Germany and France - the two big member
states hostile to Ankara's accession - sharpen their competitive
edge with Turkish engineering skills: Renault has its most productive
factory in Bursa.
There are three ways to re-engage Turkey. As talks resume, the
EU should remove visa requirements for Turkish businessmen, start
reinviting Turkish leaders to summits, and involve Turkey's defence
establishment in EU foreign and security policy.
The debate about a multi-tier Europe triggered by the eurozone crisis
(as well as noises-off in Britain) should involve Turkish leaders,
who think they can more easily slot their country into an outer ring
of the EU. It would also be a shame to waste Cyprus's financial crisis.
Is there no leverage there to inject some reason into the wrangle
about the island's future?
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/35e75bc0-75f4-11e2-9891-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2Ko12ZRnb
February 13, 2013 6:20 pm
Both sides would benefit from reviving accession talks If France's
decision to start dismantling roadblocks to Turkey's membership of
the EU, erected by Nicolas Sarkozy before he lost the presidency to
Francois Hollande, is genuine, it is an overdue step towards sanity
in managing a vital European relationship.
There are still huge hurdles, especially the poisonous politics
swirling around the divided island of Cyprus, which could well bar
the door to the Turks. But whether Turkey eventually joins the EU
is less important than that it finishes its transformation into a
vibrant democracy, dynamic economy and admired regional power.
The paralysis in the accession talks, now in their seventh year, has
shut down a formidable engine of renewal and reform. Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister, hints at abandoning the European
quest. President Abdullah Gul, whom he will probably replace next
year, believes Ankara must stay on the EU path to complete its
modernisation. The enthusiasm of Turkish voters for Europe - which
tracks Mr Erdogan's volatile moods - is fast evaporating.
This is a chance for the EU to revitalise relations with a country
in which Islam and democracy cohabit, at a time when it is fumbling
with upheavals on its Mediterranean and Muslim periphery.
For all its recent China-style economic growth rates, Turkey too
should realise the extent to which its dynamism depends on advancing
integration with the EU. Turkey's trade has diversified impressively
but three-quarters of its foreign direct investment still comes
from the EU. More than 14,000 European companies are in Turkey and,
unlike most of the country's partners, they transfer technology. These
companies, about half from Germany and France - the two big member
states hostile to Ankara's accession - sharpen their competitive
edge with Turkish engineering skills: Renault has its most productive
factory in Bursa.
There are three ways to re-engage Turkey. As talks resume, the
EU should remove visa requirements for Turkish businessmen, start
reinviting Turkish leaders to summits, and involve Turkey's defence
establishment in EU foreign and security policy.
The debate about a multi-tier Europe triggered by the eurozone crisis
(as well as noises-off in Britain) should involve Turkish leaders,
who think they can more easily slot their country into an outer ring
of the EU. It would also be a shame to waste Cyprus's financial crisis.
Is there no leverage there to inject some reason into the wrangle
about the island's future?
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/35e75bc0-75f4-11e2-9891-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2Ko12ZRnb