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Turkish views on the EU Turkey, offers the anti-thesis of the apocalyptic theory of Clash of civilizations by Ambassador Oğuz Demiralp Turkey’s Permenent Representative to the EU Added Value of Turkish membership to European foreign policy Reflections on the evolution and current state of CFSP In order to assess the added value of Turkish membership to European foreign policy, we need to consider the evolution and current state of the CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy), the institutional embodiment of European foreign policy. CFSP, in its present form, is the product of an arduous and long process that started as a purely intergovernmental way of cooperation known as the European Political Cooperation in the early 1970s and culminated in the formal codification of the CFSP by Maastricht Treaty, which came into force in November 1993. The process that is still going on, has not been as smooth as expected since foreign policy is often seen as related to sovereignty and national interests where room of compromise on decision-making and action is more limited. However, in the early 1990s the fast evolution of international developments and the EU's inability to play a pro-active role in shaping these, created the need to give the EU a real capacity for preventing or facing crisis situations rather than merely conducting a diplomacy of declarations. The evolution of CFSP from loose intergovernmental cooperation to present treaty-based structures is an important achievement in itself, taking into consideration the above-mentioned sensitive nature of foreign policy making and implementation for states. However, this achievement in itself is not enough yet to make the EU a global actor speaking with one voice. In judging the performance of the CFSP mechanisms, one should not underestimate the difficulty of agreeing upon a "common" foreign and security policy among several member states that have not always identical views concerning their interests, perceptions and goals with regard to international developments. Keeping these challenges and difficulties in mind, it should also be emphasized that the actual aim is certainly not to have a "unique" or a "single" foreign policy but a "common" one. Indeed, what is needed today for the success of the CFSP is not more unity, but further coherence in the making and implementation of European foreign policy on the basis of common assessments and objectives. Needless to mention; the EU cannot afford reducing common objectives to the lowest common denominator in view of its global responsibilities. Even though at the initial phases of the European integration, to have a coherent and credible common foreign policy, which would make the difference on major events was considered to be an ambitious goal, today, it is a sine qua non for the EU's recognition as an eminent global actor. Under the current pressing circumstances, political challenges and security threats need to be swiftly addressed by major players. In this regard, since the EU claims greater responsibility at global stage, EU foreign policy's lack of leverage and influence needs to be redressed and the Union should be endowed with relevant political, civilian and military means and assets. The big bang enlargement, which is about to take place is to increase this need. In past enlargements, the EU has also had to assume the political burden created by national foreign policy problems of some new Member States. Some Member States have exploited the diplomatic energy of the EU for their own narrow interest whereas the same energy could had been used for the common benefit of the EU, which would have increased the role of the EU on the international scene. The present enlargement also bears the risk of creating similar burdens which could undermine efforts to enhance the CFSP. Enlargement should enhance the CFSP and help to make the EU a global actor. We are convinced that Turkey is a country which can make such a contribution. Let us take a look Turkey's current and potential contribution to the strengthening of CFSP in this context. Current positioning of the Turkish foreign policy vis-à-vis the CFSP
As a candidate destined to join the Union, Turkey attaches great importance to pursue a foreign policy that is compatible with its membership prospects. The Commission, in the Chapter 27 of its recently issued 2003 Progress Report on Turkey, acknowledges this fact and states that "Turkey has continued to position its foreign and security policy in line with that of the European Union" and that it "has played a constructive role within the framework of the CFSP (…)" in the context of the regular enhanced political dialogue established as part of the accession strategy. The report also notes that Turkey has associated itself with EU common positions, sanctions, restrictive measures, statements, declarations and demarches. According to the results of a study conducted by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Turkey aligned itself with 87% of EU statements, draft conclusions or declarations during the first half of 2003. The Progress Report also acknowledges that Turkey continues to play a very important role in the stability and security in the Balkans, Caucasus, Mediterranean Black Sea and the Middle East and promotes co-operation in its neighborhood. The following remarks of the High Representative for the CFSP, Mr. Javier Solana, after the EU-Turkey Ministerial Troika meeting which took place on 11 October 2003 in Rome as part of our intensive political dialogue with the EU, represent a valuable picture in this regard: "(…) Turkey plays a fundamental role in the world. In critical cases such as Iraq, the Middle East, to mention just a few of the international situations which both the Europe-an Union and Turkey are engaged in, Turkey has always been an important actor and partner. This is very much appreciated and illustrates our deep co-operation at international level. (…)" As to the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), a fundamental component of the CFSP, the Progress Report states that "Turkey's agreement to the comprehensive deal reached in December 2002, regarding EU-NATO relations allowed cooperation in military crisis management, lifting the obstacles in the implementation of the Berlin Plus agenda." Indeed, Turkey's concerns on its active participation in ESDP mechanisms and operations have been satisfied with the provisions of the Nice Implementation Document adopted at 24-25 October 2002 Brussels European Council. At the time of this writing, the Intergovern-mental Conference concluded its work without agreement on some core aspects of the future Constitutional Treaty of the EU. Turkey actively participated in the work of the Convention on the Future of Europe and in the Intergovern-mental Conference (IGC) with a view of contributing to the improvement of ESDP's efficiency and adeptness to meet the current international security challenges. With the resumption of the IGC, Turkey will continue to play a constructive role in the further institutionalization and strengthening of ESDP. Turkey attaches great importance to preserve its "acquis" in terms of its participation in European military activities in view of its membership to the EU. Therefore, ongoing fast evolution of developments in the field of ESDP are very closely followed by Turkish authorities, who believe that rules and procedures in the making should embrace all non-EU European allies in an inclusive way and avoid creating new demarcation lines for our continent's security. Participation in EU defense and security structures is an issue of high importance for Turkey not only due to its proximity to crisis-prone regions but also its potential significant military contributions to ESDP activities. Added value of Turkish membership to the CFSP Multi-faceted nature of Turkish foreign policy is widely acknowledged. This is not only the heritage of a longstanding state tradition but also a responsibility emanating from Turkey's geo-strategic position. Within this framework, its EU membership perspective is an essential feature of Turkish foreign policy. With the Copenhagen Summit conclusions adopted on 12-13 December 2002, according to which, the European Council of December 2004 is to decide on launching accession negotiations with Turkey, Turkish membership prospects have become stronger than ever.
This has given further incentive to Turkey for cooperating with the EU in dealing with international issues. Therefore the EU is expected not to fail to take into account the advantages and added value of Turkish membership in the field of foreign policy. If the Union is committed to acquire a strategic depth by becoming a global actor, it will have to resort to stronger and diverse political, economic, civilian and military capabilities. Turkey is in a position to contribute not only to the formulation and implementation of European foreign policy but also to its credibility and effectiveness in this wide spectrum.
Turkey, offers the anti-thesis of the apocalyptic theory of "Clash of civilizations". It is an exemplary success story in terms of the cohabitation of a fully fledged secular democracy and a predominantly Muslim society. This is due to the principle of secularism on which Turkish State and way of life are based.