STAR- Columnist Semih Idiz writes on the makeup of the delegation from Turkey to be sent to the upcoming European Convention. A summary of his column is as follows:
The European Convention which will meet soon will have a crucial importance for the 'old continent'. The European Union has come to a point where it cannot go back and is looking towards the future. The questions asked within this context are not merely academic. They are closely concerned with the life of the Europeans. Will the European Union be a confederal or a federal institution? How much authority should be vested in the European Parliament? Is there a need for a binding European Constitution? Should EU membership be granted in stages? Answers to these and many other vital questions will be sought there. In short, this will be a serious platform where the attendees are expected to make concrete contributions. That is to say, people 'eligible' must participate in the delegation to be sent there. They have to know the issue well, in addition to speaking a foreign language. Otherwise, this platform will witness the lack of harmony among us, just as it has been the case in the European Council Parliamentary Assembly. I would like to express my opinion as a taxpayer on the issue and state my preferences as to who should be sent to the Convention. I agree with retired Ambassador Ilter Turkmen that Independent Istanbul Deputy Mehmet Ali Irtemcelik should be one of the delegation members as he has all the requirements for this important duty and knows full well that the aim of the Convention is not to vent our anger at others, but get some results. The second name I would suggest is Sevket Bulent Yahnici from Nationalist Action Party (MHP), as he has different views on the EU and continually studies the EU and the acquis communautaire. This is a very serious issue and we should not spoil the process of determining who will attend the delegation as we have on similar issues before.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION