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Cem Özdemir, German Green MEP “Nobody can stop this momentum...” Within the new EP, I will be a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs. Regarding External Relations, I would particularly like to work on relations with Turkey and the Near-East countries. I also have an interest in EU-US relations. Concerning Internal Affairs, I would like to work on immigration and the fight against racism and discrimination, which I have already been in charge of at the German Federal Parliament. I have never had a nationalistic approach to politics. In my constituency in Germany, I would feel as happy about the arrival of a citizen of Greek origins as for a native German. Naturally, mainly Turkish people would approach me since I share with them the same language and origins. However, in my opinion, our origin is accidental since we do not choose our nationality when we are born... However, the fact that I speak Turkish and that both my parents are from Turkey confers on me a different role and function. I would also like to work in relation to that. During my term at the German Federal Paliament, and aside from the interests that I share with my fellow colleagues, I am willing to contribute towards bringing closer together Turkey, and the EU and the integration of Turks living in Europe. Regarding the decision to start or not accession negotiations with Turkey at the end of the year, the situation seems currently quite positive. A few years ago, in terms of EU-Turkey relations, everyone defended the idea that Turkey should "join" or "come closer" to the EU, however without believing that this would actually happen. Both parties were pessimistic about their relationship. In that respect, Turkey experienced a real upheaval in the last legislative elections. There was for the first time a majority in the Turkish Parliament, which is willing to lead the country towards EU membership. The Turkish people by a vast majority also share this objective as was demonstrated again in the last regional elections. Many things have changed in Turkey in this sense and great steps have been taken. From the abolition of the death penalty to resolving the Kurdish issue and bad treatment in prisons, many reforms were carried out which were unthinkable before. In that respect, it seems impossible to me to stop this momentum. To speculate about the time that the accession talks will take - less or more than ten years - is crossing the line: nobody can measure this process at the moment. It will depend on how quickly Turkey will progress in the future. For the UK's entry, this process lasted thirteen years. This proves that the negotiations can take a long time but the opposite is also possible. My opinion is the same as that of the Turkish government: the most important thing is to start the negotiations. However, it is not relevant how that process is undertaken, the key should be Turkey maintaining its current speed in bringing reforms. Therefore, it is necessary to start the negotiations to allow this momentum to continue.
I regard the beginning of the negotiations as a certainty, unless of course a new unexpected problem arises. Some forces are trying to prevent progress in Turkey. While it seemed that terrorism was vanquished, this threat has re-emerged. Some people are trying to overthrow the existing order but the large majority rejects these opposition forces. That is why I look the future with confidence. On the other hand, anytime that the EU and Turkey have moved closer in the past and whatever the nature of these positive developments, some unexpected problems have appeared. The question that we should ask ourselves is who will gain from Turkey's membership and who will lose out? Indeed, there are some parties that will lose out if Turkey joins the EU: groups supporting terrorism and groups within the State. However, we know that these groups are losing ground. Nobody can stop this momentum. Some political spheres within the EU believe that Turkey will not succeed in bringing reforms and changing itself. Its fast progress was a shock to them. A promise was given and cannot be taken back, which explains why not everybody in the EU is happy in that respect. There will be unsatisfied people here and there, but reason will prevail. If Europe wants to be successful in terms of the fight against terrorism, it must then include a Muslim country. The American policy in Iraq highlights this reality. Changes cannot be imposed from the top. People of Islamic views should be brought to our cause. Many mistakes were committed in the past in that respect. Turkey has a good chance to succeed in this endeavour. The EU membership of a country which is both Muslim and which accepts democracy, human rights and a parliamentary system will be a significant gain. This reason should matter more than economic considerations or maintaining good relations with a neighbour country. As MEPs, we should act in line with this idea without consideration to the political group to which we belong. If we want to prevent the clash of civilizations from becoming a reality, Turkey's entry into the EU and its adoption of European values is of crucial importance for us. Emine Bozkurt Dutch Socialist MEP
What is your message to the other MEPs regarding Turkey's accession? I think it is very important to start the negotiations whatever the time it will take as Turkey has shown that it takes it seriously in changing things and making reforms but there is also a long way to go. I think that with the negotiations, the MEPs can also have a good influence on making Turkey ready to be a full member of the EU by changing things on laws regarding women and democracy but also to have a higher standard of economy which is not only good for Turkey but also good for the whole of the EU. You can see that when Turkey will become a full member, there will be really higher standards in Turkey. Both have already a lot of links, especially in trade. It will have advantages for both parties, for Turkey and the EU.