CUMHURIYET- Columnist Mustafa Balbay comments on Turkish–EU relations. A summary of his column is as follows:
Nationalist Action Party (MHP) Deputy Ismail Kose states that if Turkey is admitted into the EU while preserving the nation’s unity and integrity this membership is most welcome, but otherwise it is not possible for Turkey to make any concessions. This argument demonstrates how hard it is to find a middle path in our discussions to become a full EU member. We are witnessing contention between the Motherland Party (ANAP) and the MHP rather than efforts to reach a compromise. It seems that the dispute between the two parties will continue until the summit President Ahmet Necdet Sezer has called for all political parties takes place. A rough evaluation of the MHP’s policies may be summarized throughout the years as: During the 1970s, it undertook the mission to guard Turkey against communism and it experienced great growth. In the ‘80s, it took in politicians in a wide spectrum ranging from radical fanatics to centre-right parties. During the ‘90s it held the banner of protecting Turkey against separatists and turned this policy into votes. At present, it seems to have undertaken the duty of protecting Turkey against the EU. Although the leader of MHP says that the most important steps towards the EU were taken during their time in power, what remains in our memories from the discussions held recently seems to be different. On the other hand we see that ANAP and especially its leader Mesut Yilmaz are forcing the issue of full membership in the EU. He states that we have to take risks, adding that the threat of separation even exists today, and boldly underlines that EU will help brighten the future. However, he also criticizes the EU and states that acting hesitantly amounts to simple political incompetence. However it seeems that none of the parties are listening to each other while defending their own views.We believe that three main issues will be discussed during the summit President Sezer has called. They are abolition of the death penalty, Kurdish, and Emergency Rule (OHAL) in southeastern Turkey. None of the parties apart from ANAP and Democraticl Left Party (DSP) can act independently from their own grassroots. We are not discussing Kurdish properly. Every country has an official language of education. This is the case in all EU countries. However, anyone wishing to do so can learn the language he or she wants to. In Turkey, there is the question of Turkish. If the state cannot teach the official language to its citizens, what else do you expect ? Emergency Rule is a relative issue. It can be lifted at any moment According to the EU, Cyprus is a priority. However, we believe that all Turkey will act in unison on the subject. Therefore it is not regarded as an internal problem. Turkey can overcome all these hurdles, but the real obstacle is the general elections. It seems that the 57th government will discuss all the steps to be taken, but the 58th government will realize them.

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