By Yusuf Kanli
TDN- It`s time to concentrate on image building in Europe and show Europeans they need not fear Turks. We want to become their equal partners for a common prosperous future for peace and stability
Reports from the European Union that we have been aspiring to join in for the past 40 years indicate that the European public by and large is either unaware of the importance of Turkey; acting with prejudiced and rather discriminative manner; or ignorant of the potentials that could be created with Turkish membership; concerned of the Islamic character of this nation; and scared that the unemployed of this country of over 70 million -- perhaps over 100 million by accession in 10-15 years time -- would influx European job markets. Some are worried of the consequences on European farm the huge farm potentials of this country; some are worried of the exploding Turkish industry. Why should not Europeans worry of becoming the market of Turkey while trying to make Turkey their market?
It`s with this, or similar other concerns that the French or other European peoples have a rather confused and mostly unfavorable opinion of Turkey -- though from time to time Turkish governments have been helping to shape-up anti-Turkish sentiments as was the case with the recent adultery mess created by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
That`s not all, of course. There is as well a Turco-phobia that stems from the centuries-old Crusades mentality and racist repulsion of Turkey understanding as has been recently repeatedly demonstrated by Ratzingers, Giscard d`Estaings or the German or Austrian conservatives.
It`s indeed the European Commission which will make the recommendation on Oct. 6 to the European leaders who will meet on Dec. 17 as the European Council decides whether or not Turkey should be given a date for the start of accession talks. It will be the European leaders who will have the final say on the issue, though their decision will largely be built on the report of the commission. Still, could a Turkey decision be processed by any European body without consent and support of the European peoples?
Rather than internal backbiting and bickering to satisfy our egos, it`s high time to realize that this EU membership bid cannot be advanced without garnering support of the European public.
Turkey must give clear messages to the European public that Turkey`s inclusion in the union will not be a deficiency but an element that will enrich the club and open up new horizons of prosperity and well being for all.
We ought to be able to pass on a clear message that Turkey`s accession will encourage regional countries to proceed towards better governance, peace, stability and help the building up of a new world order.
Inclusion of Turkey, a secular state with an overwhelming Muslim population that has made great strides in strengthening its democracy and broadening individual rights to conform with European standards over the past decades, will be an asset for the EU if it wanted to be a multi-cultural, multi-religious modernization project, rather than a club of Christian nations. We must be able to explain to the European public the importance of this fact in view of the global threat of terrorism and efforts aimed at igniting a confrontation of civilizations.
We must be able to explain in clear terms to the European peoples that respect to accords is the backbone of the system of values that we believe exists in Europe and we expect them to abide with the 40-year-old Ankara agreement that specifically underlines the eventual aim of Turkey`s EU accession.
It`s time to concentrate on image building in Europe and show Europeans they need not fear Turks. We want to become their equal partners for a common prosperous future for peace and stability.