E.U. Membership Process Is Only A Means

STAR- Columnist Semih Idiz comments on Turkey's efforts to get its accession negotiations to the EU started. A summary of his column is as follows:
We are completing the first year following the declaration of our National Programme. As those concerned with the issue are underlining, we cannot underestimate the steps taken by the government during the previous year. As we all know the dimensions of resistance to change in Turkey, we cannot underrate these steps. However, no one can claim that the government deserves a gold medal in carrying out these steps. In hindsight, no matter how important these measures are, they still remain insufficient when assessed within the whole context of the issue. In short, Turkey has not been able to reach the target it set for March 19 in the National Programme. Our officials are now saying that such a deadline was never set. 'Europe did not set such a date, it was a psychological mark we put forth in order to encourage the public.' It is true that we have shown the carrot and stick to ourselves. But this has helped only to a certain extent. The same officials are stating that the real deadline is in mid-April. As a country which could not reach the date it set for itself, we shall see if we will be able to accomplish the requirements of EU by this deadline. I am rather skeptical, but I would be delighted to be proven wrong. We must evaluate the situation in line with our own standards rather than those of the EU. This has nothing to do with the EU and concerns the reforms we must carry out for ourselves. Speaking optimistically we can say that during the last year some monolithic moulds began to crack. For example, the issue of broadcasting in Kurdish, which could hardly be spoken of only two weeks ago is being debated. Not only that, we are discussing whether it should be aired through private channels or through state radio and TV channels. This must be regarded as a significant step forward, even though we still have not fulfilled the requirements of the EU Accession Partnership Document. We have indexed our reforms to the EU. This is because some believe that we are not able to do certain things unless there is the pressure from abroad. Although this may be true in part, it is an approach which draws the anger of the resistance front in our country. In fact, this suits the purposes of those opposed to the EU. Resistance to foreign pressure is a stance which finds favor in Turkey, even though it may reach to nonsensical dimensions at times. We must comprehend that the reforms which are far beyond the requirements of the National Programme should be fulfilled not for the EU but for ourselves. EU membership for Turkey after we fulfill the Copenhagen and Maastricht criteria may in fact be a limited development. As a country which has advanced both economically and democratically, membership in the EU may not be important for Turkey. In such a situation the EU countries will get in line to form relations with Turkey. This is not a fantasy, but a consequence of realpolitik. The EU is not an institution for which me must change our culture, character or religion. It is a series of laws we will adopt. These laws concern the elevation of the standard of living of the citizens within the integrity of the state. The EU membership process is a train which will take us to a station we want to get to. It is only a means. We must be able to realize this.

SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION