BY SEMIH IDIZ
MILLIYET- Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that a summit would be held with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. This meeting has the potential to become a turning point in our relations with the European Union. Interestingly, Erdogan's statement coincided with the expression of support for Turkey's EU bid given by US President George W. Bush when he met with President Abdullah Gul last week. Bush not only said that he supported Ankara on this issue, but also put the subject on a global level by saying that Turkey's EU membership is necessary for peace. Obviously, Bush's view is at odds with these of Sarkozy and Merkel. But neither Sarkozy nor Merkel are telling Washington to mind its own business. They also don't ask aloud if Mexico should became part of the US, because they consider close relations between the US and EU as a geostrategic necessity.
So they can't just dismiss the peace perspective put forth by Bush out of hand. But sources in Brussels tell us that Sarkozy and Merkel are about to propose a path for Turkey. There is reportedly an atmosphere, particularly on the French side, against Washington's argument. Accordingly, France says there is no need for fear, because it won't exclude Turkey and contribute to international instability, but instead convince Ankara to accept a `special relationship' short of membership. Likewise, although Merkel prefers to stay mum on Turkey's membership bid for now, Sarkozy still says that he's against it. This raises the importance of the summit that Erdogan announced without giving a date, but which diplomatic sources said would be held before July.
As there will be no change in Turkey's basic position, Sarkozy, who's trying to change the rules after the game begins, will be the person who should first change. If he doesn't, he will force Ankara and EU to part ways. As this would contradict the vision of global peace put forth by Washington and Bush, the pressure during the summit will be on Sarkozy.
The only issue that will strengthen Ankara's hand during the summit won't be the US' support. Yes, it's true that during the recent Lisbon summit, all the EU members obeyed Sarkozy and darkened Turkey's membership perspective with word games. But they did this so as not to endanger the Lisbon Agreement, which has vital importance for the EU. On the other hand, there are a lot of countries which have political importance within the EU and support Ankara. Here it would be useful to remember the advice given by Spain, which suffered from France during its own EU candidacy. Turkey should fulfill its tasks and not give up its full membership goal. Turkey also shouldn't get mad at others and leave the table. If there are those who don't want this, they can try to send Turkey away from the table. Only then they will see that it can't be done.