MILLIYET- Columnist Sami Kohen writes on the experiences of the other candidate countries for EU membership. A summary of his column is as follows:
Some nine years ago, when the Czechs and Slovaks decided to part their ways, a cartoon appeared in one of the Prague newspapers. The cartoon showed the representative of the Czechs telling his Slovak counterpart not to worry as they would come together again within the EU. In fact both these countries are on their way to becoming EU members. The message of the cartoon was clear: The two nations had decided to go their own ways as two separate states but had adopted the EU vision even at that time and believed their future lay in integration with Europe. At an international conference in Slovenia, it was impossible for us not to compare Turkey with them while listening to those whose candidacies were regarded as certain. The views and experiences they related showed that these countries understood it was a long, hard road and had prepared themselves accordingly. They enthusiastically started their journey with a European vision and were prepared to make sacrifices for the cause. They made the reforms required as quickly as possible on a timetable they set for themselves. And now, the countries which have completed all the requirements have gone to the front of the queue in the EU’s enlargement process. Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland are among these countries. During the conference, it was noted that these countries were in harmony with the economic and political criteria of the EU due to their long, hard preparations. For example, Slovenia has completed 27 chapters up to now and is trying to complete its preparations in three more fields, agriculture, local administration and finances. The Copenhagen criteria were fulfilled at the beginning of its accession negotiations. The analysis of the representatives of these countries were interesting. In brief, they said that EU membership would facilitate their countries’ political and economic integration with Europe. This in turn will lead to democracy taking root and the development of the economy. Furthermore, being within the EU fold will result in their leaving old frictions behind. Another interesting element is that Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and even Montenegro are all seeing the EU as a solution to their problems. They believe that old ethnic frictions and animosities will evaporate within the EU. Turkey is following the same path. Therefore, it will be beneficial to analyze the experiences of other candidates which have traveled a great distance along this road already.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION