BY MERIC KOYATASI
AKSAM- EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said during last week’s Sacrifice Fest that the screening process would start in October and that this would last for one year, which means, EU membership talks will start in October 2006, that is, one year after the date given to Turkey. Meanwhile, the EU is putting pressure on Turkey to make a concession for a solution to the Cyprus issue until October this year. I believe the EU will corner Turkey’s EU membership, but it also doesn’t want to exclude Turkey completely. In addition, the Turkish society is very far away from the EU in terms of culture and courses of conduct. Now let’s consider the Turkish-EU relations from a different perspective. Domestic and foreign business circles are glad that Turkey will start membership talks with the EU. People think a great many mergers and direct foreign investment will flow to Turkey.
The Cyprus issue is disturbing Turkey. Although Turkey showed that it favored a solution to the problem in UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s plan and the Greek Cypriot administration obstructed the solution, the General Staff gave a clear answer to the EU. Both First Army Commander Gen. Yasar Buyuanit and Deputy Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug stated that not a single Turkish soldier would be withdrawn from the island without a permanent peace and solution in Cyprus. Both commanders said the Cyprus issue shouldn’t be a hindrance before Turkey. Actually this message was for some politicians and businessmen who want Turkey’s EU membership at any cost. Firstly, we should understand that Cyprus is increasing Turkey’s geopolitical and geographical importance. Although I consider Turkey’s full EU membership a dream, Turkish-EU relations should continue for economic interests. On the other hand, the EU is putting pressure on us concerning our domestic and foreign security. We can manage these two issues together and this is called the art of diplomacy. The important thing is to know what you want and what you present to the other side. The cooperation and concession are two different things.