TURKIYE- Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna writes on Turkish-EU relations. A summary of his column is as follows:
Certainly, it is correct to say that we have to enter the EU honorably. Turkey is as honorable as the mighty Germany or the tiny Luxembourg. As it would be insulting to others, it cannot be said to be more than theirs. It is also true that conditions which are not required of other members are being asked of Turkey. However, the conditions for entry have become more burdensome each year, and the standard has risen, and the bar will go up even more. Those who have already entered the Union while we were lulled into sleep have fulfilled lighter conditions than we have to today. Full membership could have been ours simultaneously with Greece, before Spain, Portugal and Austria, but we turned it down. When new criteria emerged, member states approved them. Acting heedlessly and inconsiderately by saying ‘Let’s meet 10 years later’ would inevitably have negative effects on the lives of states. The coming generations would pay dearly for such errors. The argument that the Europeans won’t take countries which have problems with their neighbors is not altogether wrong, however it has exceptions. They admitted Greece, which has problems with Turkey, into the Union. They are ready to admit the Greek Cypriots. Turkish foreign policy is based on the dictum ‘Peace at home, peace in the world.’ However, this cannot come true, if the opposite party continues to bear ill-will and animosity. Therefore, one should not fall into the trap of those fearing a Turkey membership in the Union. Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli relieved us by saying that admittance to the EU is a state policy. It will only please us to see the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) in the capacity of a centrist party which can come to power. A party which slams the doors to the civilized world in the faces of our children cannot win any votes. It would only make us unhappy to see a Turkish nationalist party fall into such a marginal and sorry situation. Democracy and prosperity is the right of every Turkish citizen. Democracy is a regime hidden in the Copenhagen criteria. Prosperity is not possible with only two or five thousand dollars.

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