STAR- Columnist Semih comments on the recent discussions over relations with EU and how they are being used for political purposes. A summary of his column is as follows:
In the discussions over the EU, sometimes we are so entranced by the trees that we are unable see the forest. As Fatih Cekirge said in his recent column, the real problem is the poor economic state of the country and the miserable living standards of the people. As a concept, membership in EU is a very complicated issue, which must be thought over carefully and requiring a serious intellectual effort. So much so, that even the educated societies in Europe are hard pressed in comprehending everything. The aim of the European Convention which began its studies recently is to make this concept more understandable and accessible for the average European. Despite these developments, we have delved into discussions which cannot be clearly understood by all. Therefore, it is impossible for us to grasp how undignified the death penalty is for a modern society, and how incomprehensible a stance it is not to be able to broadcast in native-tongue for an EU candidate member. Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli stated that the EU should clearly specify its decision on Turkey. The EU has shown its preference by recognizing Turkey’s candidacy at the Helsinki Summit and by putting the concept of a start to accession negotiations in the Laeken Summit declaration. The party which has to clarify its stand is Turkey. Chief of General Staff Gen. Huseyin Kivrikoglu said that Turkey’s membership in the EU and organizations such as the ESDP is a geopolitical must. This ‘geopolitical obligation’ is closely concerned with Turkey’s defense and future security. However, despite these facts, Mr. Bahceli, without clearly explaining his reasons can say that to liken Turkey to other EU countries would be turn the country into a political and cultural monstrosity. This suggests that the real concern is not EU membership but rather domestic political calculations. In other words, the EU issue which is closely concerned with Turkey’s future is being used for political purposes through discussions over the ‘death penalty’ and ‘Kurdish TV’. People who are watching these discussions cannot say that there is a single state which has been divided after entering the EU, as their immediate concern is poverty.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION