BY ISMAIL KUCUKKAYA
AKSAM- Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug recently laid out the stances of General Staff and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) on the difficulties Turkey might face during its European Union accession. There are 45 days left before the December EU summit where it will emerge if the EU leaders will give us a date for membership talks. As of now, it seems that come what may the negotiations will start. At a press conference, Gen. Basbug’s delivered a seven-page speech covering relations with the EU as well as the minority, Aegean and Iraq issues. On the last page, the words ‘The Turkish people who established the Turkish Republic are called the Turkish nation’ appear on top of a map of Turkey. I’ll summarize his speech like so: The TSK supports the process of Turkey’s EU membership. It will be the engine and impulse of Turkey’s move towards modernization and will contribute to this process however it can. During the negotiations which may start with the EU, it will fulfill all its responsibilities and prioritize the task of protecting the state’s integrity with the country and nation. During this process, it will guard against those who want to divide or weaken the country. It will take necessary measures to counter attitudes and actions with malicious intent both in Turkey and abroad. It will take care to defend our red lines.
This indicates an ideal stance. During Basbug’s speech, he cited examples from many EU documents and international agreements and gave references to various issues. He also demonstrated a democratic stance in the concluding sentences on key issues. In addition, during a later reception at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, he emphasized the importance of the media’s responsibility, particularly in terms of our national values and interests, something he said is crucial.