BY FIKRET BILA
MILLIYET- Certain European Union officials have been criticizing our government for losing enthusiasm of late in our efforts to become an EU member. EU Commission Representative to Turkey Hansjoerg Kretschmer has recently made statements along these lines, calling on our government to speed up its efforts. Ankara is being accused by the EU of losing momentum since last December, when it got a date for the beginning of its accession talks.
The EU, as a matter of fact, neither accepts any criticisms from Turkey nor apparently takes a flexible stance which is open to compromise. Its unyielding Turkey policy can be summed up as ‘take it or leave it.’
Brussels has recently stepped up diplomatic pressure on Ankara, particularly on the Cyprus issue. Ankara is being forced to sign the additional protocol extending its Customs Union to cover the Greek Cypriot administration. Our government has already pledged to sign it by Oct. 3, when our EU talks are set to begin. Ankara will then try to persuade the EU that its signature doesn’t necessarily amount to official recognition of the Greek Cypriot administration.
Brussels is unwilling to engage in self-criticism concerning a number of ‘special hurdles’ erected to Turkey’s membership. The EU is refusing to negotiate over these obstacles. France recently approved a bill stipulating a referendum for Turkey’s membership. It will be the French public which will determine our future. Paris has already taken its own preemptive measures.
Under these circumstances, we’re trying to make progress, and we’re expected to make it well and rapidly. Negotiations with the EU won’t be real negotiations at all. During these talks, Turkey will be told to ‘take it or leave it.’ In the wake of last December’s breakthrough, the EU’s double standards against Turkey are continuing.