BY SOLI OZEL
SABAH- Just three years ago our country was focused on its European Union membership bid, but then our people and politicians it withdrew from this goal, even though it is meant to strengthen our economy as well as promote prosperity, an advanced democracy and legal order. In other words, our EU membership goal signaled what kind of a country people want to live in. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) tends to refocus on the EU and the conditions for membership only when it gets into a tough spot. We don't know how deeply it understands or has internalized the bloc's basic principles.
The main opposition Republican People's Party (AKP), which was originally founded to bring Turkey into the West, is competing with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) over who can oppose the EU more. Let alone EU membership, its policies and rhetoric fit with almost none of the Socialist International's principles.
Obviously, the EU is no place for solving Turkey's problems. Our issues have mounted and been put off for a long time. Our people and politicians should make certain basic choices and vital decisions about all these postponed problems. But Turkish-EU relations aren't only among nations, but are something more comprehensive and multifaceted. These relations should be seen as part of the world's transformation and power redistribution.
The world is entering a process of reconstruction in every respect. One result of recent economic crises is policies very different from those of 30 years ago coming to the forefront, with a stronger hand controlling the economy. Institutions guiding the world economy will see similar changes. They will probably make sweeping changes in line with the new situation.
In politics, existing institutions will also either renew themselves or lose relevance. Press coverage of the recent NATO summit in Bucharest signal that even that bloc is in a delicate situation. In this case, continuing the internal settling of accounts in Turkey in isolation from the outside world means taking the risk of being caught in a whirlpool. Actually, the basic principle of EU relations is that it can guide Turkey so it doesn't lose its direction.
European Union Commission Head Jose Manuel Barosso's current visit to Ankara should be seen through this lens. This visit may and should be a reason to reinvigorate our relations. Yesterday's call by Milliyet daily for the EU to see and understand all the developments in Turkey is very appropriate. In light of what veteran journalist Mehmet Ali Birand wrote, Barosso is aware of democratic demands and people's sensitivity about secularism. This visit should be also seen as a new beginning.