Current opinion
EU Accession:
A Turkish perspective
Membership of the European Union has been a main pillar of Turkish foreign policy. It is a process that goes back to the late 1950s and was consolidated over the years. Finally in 1999, Turkey’s status as a candidate destined to become a full member was confirmed.
Since then, Turkey has undergone a very comprehensive reform process geared towards meeting the membership criteria as stipulated by the EU. This has required the mobilization of substantial human, administrative, political, social and economic resources. At times it has required various governments to take significant political risks.
The official launch of the accession negotiations on October 3, 2005, was therefore a historic day for the Republic of Turkey and the EU. Turkey is now an accession country.
Coming to this point has certainly not been easy. Throughout the course of more than four decades, Turkey-EU relations have had many ups and downs. However, despite the difficulties, Turkey never lost sight of its objective of nothing less than full membership in the EU. This has been the mutual contractual goal since the very beginning of relations, as underlined in the Ankara Agreement of 1963.
Overcoming scepticism
Turkey is confident that the European Union will overcome the current scepticism toward enlargement. This point becomes more relevant as the Union is currently going through some difficult times after the referenda held in France and the Netherlands.
This is where the civil society dialogue between Turkey and the EU becomes important. The Union will also need to do more to win the hearts and minds of the Turkish people.
It is worth mentioning once again that Turkey’s ongoing reform process has involved all segments of society. These political and economic reforms, far-reaching in their concept and range, have been carried out with the full support of the Turkish people. This provides also a trustworthy indication that the determination to continue the reform agenda with a special focus on implementation remains strong as ever.
A strategic asset
Turkey’s membership will be an asset and an advantage for the Union, especially, in view of the country’s strategic location, in terms of foreign, defense and security policies. Turkey’s accession will propel the EU to the forefront of global geopolitics and endow it with a genuine strategic concept and policy. The EU will be transformed from an inward-looking regional organisation whose strategic depth ends at its borders to an active influential global power.
Once it becomes a member, Turkey will assist the EU’s present efforts in reaching beyond the Eastern Mediterranean, and in securing peace, stability, security and welfare in the Middle East, Caucasia and Central Asia.
Moreover, Turkish membership will facilitate access to markets in the surrounding region. In terms of energy supply diversification Turkish membership will also be good news for the EU. The completion of the Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan pipeline is about to ensure the secure transportation of petroleum and the natural gas of Caucasia and Central Asia to western markets will be ensured.
Religion and demography
Meanwhile, Turkey’s membership in the European Union as a democratic and secular Muslim state that has espoused contemporary European values will demonstrate to the world that Islam and modernity can co-exist. It will also clearly show that the EU does not favour any particular faith, but is founded on a basis of common values and interests. This will at the same time have a positive influence on the way in which the Christian and Muslim worlds identify with each other, strengthening the ground for dialogue and cooperation.
Given the worrying demographic trends in Europe - falling birth rates, ageing population and forecasts about a labour deficit - over the next few decades, the young and dynamic population of Turkey can be an asset rather than a hypothetical liability for the EU.
Economic potential
The advantages of Turkey’s economic potential should not be overlooked, either. GNP is expected to surpass US$300 billion in the years ahead. Turkey is the only country to have entered into a Customs Union with the EU before membership. Its economic performance since the completion of the Union a decade ago has demonstrated that it has a fully functioning market economy.
In 2004, GNP increased by almost 10%, well above the envisaged 5%, while per capita income rose by more than 20%. Turkey’s economy currently ranks as the 17th largest in the world compared to 22nd place only last year. In terms of economic growth, Turkey ranked first among the OECD countries in 2004.
Fair process please
Turkey has much to offer to the EU. The EU can become a real global power by including Turkey. The alternative is to remain a regional organisation which has difficulties solving even its own structural problems.
Turkey now finds itself at the threshold of a new and challenging process. It wishes to believe that, this process will be characterized by a constructive spirit.
A new process of harmonization has begun. Although Turkish concerns about “The Negotiating Framework” document remain, it is hoped that these concerns will be addressed to mutual satisfaction during the negotiations. A fair and sustainable process is imperative to achieve the common task at hand.
Common values
For its part, Turkey will continue to remain true to its commitments. Its determination to continue the reform process is strong as ever. So is the resolve to settle the few regional issues to which Turkey is a direct party and thus pave the way for a stronger Europe.
Turkey’s membership to the EU will prove, once and for all, that Europe is defined by common values. The true divide lies not between civilizations but between civilized people and the few who use violence and terror to try to destroy the common values which bind them all. Turkey’s membership will also signify that the EU has a strategic vision and is able to see the broader picture in the best interest of the international community.
(DIPLOMAT - October 2005 - Ankara)