MILLIYET- Columnist Hursit Gunes writes on Turkey’s EU membership bid. A summary of his column is as follows:
Turkey’s journey on the road to be admitted into the EU makes a long story. Many changes have occurred since the 1963 Ankara Agreement. The European Economic Community (EEC), with which we had signed a preliminary agreement, consisted of a customs union. The aim of the group we wanted to get in was lifting all customs and allowing free circulation of labor, capital and goods. In time this aim changed a great deal. Not only the customs union but a single monetary unit came among the goals reached. The idea of economic union turned into a political union, and a great distance has been covered on the issue. During the first period, Turkey could not benefit from the opportunities as it should have as it did not complete its homework. It could not lift the barrier before as it did not put its economic house in order and thereby establish stability. In time, the large population of Turkey began to frighten the Europeans. This time the party at the other end of the table began to drag its feet as there was a high rate of unemployment in Europe. Turkey’s obtaining the right of free circulation meant a boom in unemployment in Europe. Therefore, the right of free circulation could be granted if labor was excluded. The Customs Union we are a member of is not anything different than the EEC drawn up in 1963. The EU is another issue totally different than the EEC. It is a structure on the way to become a single state. It is a political union. There are certain rules of this political union, namely human rights and democratization. This is the field where Turkey is facing difficulties. In one of his columns, Mehmet Y. Yilmaz argued that forcing Turkey to a lower league could not be considered a nationalist move. During the years between 1963-1983, Turkey acted coolly towards the EEC out of the concern that these states would exploit Turkey. Even today some businessmen are not in favor of the EEC. Although different in nature, there are still some objections today. However, at present Turkey’s big bosses are eager to get in the EU. This is a welcome development. However, some political sectors are still dragging their feet. This time they are using security as an excuse. ‘Democratization’ is not wanted for fear that the country may be divided. Cyprus is another point of sensitivity due to dangers that may come from abroad. However there are points we have to remember. An unsolved issue is worse than a bad solution. Turkey may not be admitted to the EU. However it doesn’t have the luxury of turning elsewhere. This is an international political and geopolitical position. Another point we must not forget is that rich countries do not face any threats to their national union or integrity. We must stop finding excuses and avail ourselves of the opportunities.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION