EU-Turkey:
A complicated relationshipby Johannes SWOBODA Group of the Party of
European Socialists, Vice-Chairman European Parliament, Member
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence
Policy, Member Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary
Committee, Substitute The relationship between the
European Union and Turkey was complicated all the past centuries and
will continue to remain a challenge at least in the next decades.
Turkey is an European country but it stretches into Asia and the Middle
East at the same time. It has a predominant Muslim population but also
shows a Christian-Orthodox heritage and welcomed many Jewish refugees.
Many Turkish migrants already live and work in the European Union and
thus are creating wealth and income for these countries. There are many
connections and interchanges between Turkey and the European
Union. World War I and Kemal Attatürk brought a
reorientation from the East towards the West, especially Europe. But
the enforcement of many European standards and habits was accompanied
by strong nationalism and this is still noticeable today. Only recently
with the constitutional reforms prepared by the government of Prime
Minister Erdogan and decided by the Great National Assembly some
flexibility was introduced into Turkey's political system. This
concerns in particular the human rights position and the role of
Kurdish political and cultural ambitions. But there is still a long way
to go to implement the laws including the constitution. The
implementation of laws is a different thing, as it needs more strength
and time than decision- making in governments and
parliaments. Furthermore, as long as the Cyprus
question is not solved a decisive problem remains open and creates
tensions in the EU-Turkey relationship. But it is not only Turkey,
which has not done its homework completely, but also the European
Union. The failure of the EU to agree on a European Constitution is an
important setback, not only for the EU15 respective for the EU25 from
May 1st onwards. It decreases also the capacity of the EU to enlarge
further without diluting the Union. Instead of strengthening the Union,
also via enlargement, further steps of extension would weaken the Union
in its internal and external policies. Already the present enlargement
was not very popular in many countries of the EU15. But steps towards
the borders of geographical Europe could create further division if not
well prepared. To underline this again, neither the
geographical, cultural, religious argument often brought forward, nor
the conflicts Turkey still has with some of its neighbours are
principal arguments against Turkey's accession. But in the past years
both sides were not able to prepare themselves adequately for closing
the gap still preventing Turkey's membership.But there is space enough
to come closer, to find common interests and aims, which could bring
together not only the elite but also a broader range of the civil
societies. Both sides must see the common interest
and that a membership would strengthen not only Turkey's position but
also the capacities and international influence of the European Union.
At present many Europeans see mainly the differences and difficulties
when asked about the future membership of Turkey. The political,
economic, and cultural elite of the European Union and Turkey must work
more intensively on the common project of having Turkey in the Union.
Especially in connection with the decision at the
end of 2004 about a date for the start of negotiations everyone must be
careful and refrain from threats. It is in the interest of both that
relations do not deteriorate but continue to have the common aim in the
centre of all political activities. Any decision at the end of 2004 by
the European Council does neither bring immediate membership, or the
end of an urgently needed good co-operation between the EU and Turkey.
So, the relationship will stay complicated and delicate and it needs
responsible politicians to handle these relationships in a constructive
and forward-looking way.MAIN CONTRIBUTIONS OF TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP TO
THE EU Bahadır Kaleağası TUSIAD Turkish Industry & Business
AssociationRepresentative to the EU and UNICE
Brussels Turkey's membership to the European Union
may be a long and gradualist perspective. This is a process whose aim
is to solve today's problems and to set, if still necessary,
transitional periods for some aspects of the membership. Today, the
challenge for both the EU and Turkey is to start, as soon as possible,
the accession negotiations and to assure their progress on the basis of
the common European values, principles, and interests.1. ECONOMY
: Turkey will greatly contribute to the EU's economic power on
the global scene. With a population of 69 million, a GDP level of 445
billion euros (PPP), an export oriented economy and rapidly developing
information society, Turkey's accession will increase the size and
competitiveness of the European internal market. 2. GROWTH :
Growth in Turkey will have a positive effect on the EU economy.
Turkey's young, dynamic and entrepreneurial population and economy are
large enough to generate growth both in Turkey and in an enlarged EU.
3. CONSUMERS : Turkey's large economy and potentials will be
beneficial to European consumers. Elimination of technical and
non-technical barriers to trade and adoption by Turkey of the EU
legislation and standards are increasing the competitiveness and the
product quality in an enlarged Union. 4. BUSINESS : In
addition to the existing customs union in industrial goods,
liberalisation of services and public procurement markets will provide
invaluable opportunities for European companies. With a services sector
constituting 65% of its GDP and a public procurement market of over 30
billion euros, Turkey offers high potentials for European companies in
development projects. 5. INVESTMENT : After accession, European
companies will benefit from higher rates of return on their foreign
direct investment in Turkey. Given the country's qualified labour
force, high absorption capacity, tourism potentials and its location at
the crossroads of Eurasian markets and energy networks, EU membership
will boost the economy by attracting even more investments. 6. GLOBAL
POLITICS : Turkey's membership will be an invaluable asset for
the EU in its global aspirations. Turkey's geographical position,
relations with the neighbouring countries and connection to the Islamic
world, Russia and the Central Asia will endow the EU with greater
saying in the international arena.7.MULTICULTURALISM : Turkey's
membership will strengthen the EU's multicultural society. It will be a
solid confirmation refuting 'clash of civilisations' scenario and
proving the essence of the EU, namely a union built upon and through
common values. 8. STABILITY : Improvements in the Greco-Turkish
relations resulting from Turkey's membership will provide further
stability in the Aegean region and the Balkans. Greater stability and
cooperation in the region have countless potentials for trade, energy,
transport and environment projects. 9. PEACE : Turkey's
membership will promote and defend common European interests. As an EU
member, Turkey will contribute further to democracy, peace and
stability, as well as economic development, in the Mediterranean
region, Balkans, Caucasus and Middle East. 10. SECURITY : As a
reliable NATO ally, Turkey's membership will consolidate both the
military and the civilian aspects of the Common Foreign and Security
Policy. A European Union including Turkey will be more efficient in
tackling political problems and crises among which threats from
undemocratic regimes, terrorism, illegal immigration and trafficking in
drugs, arms, human beings…
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