MILLIYET- Columnist Sami Kohen writes on former President Clinton's speech delivered as the guest of the Turkish-American Businessmen's Association (TABA).
Former US President Clinton's speech as the guest of TABA under the heading 'Turkish-EU-US Relations' was meaningful. Instead of speaking only on Turkish- American relations, Clinton chose to give certain messages to Turkey by focusing on mainly on issues of the EU as a friend of Turkey. Clinton told the Turkish people how important Turkey's EU membership was and why the US had worked hard on the issue. The former president's speech conveyed certain important messages to Turkey. His first recommendation concerned the present political crisis. He told us not to despair in the face of these problems, as all countries had gone through similar problems and we would also overcome them. His second message concerned the EU. Clinton said that even if it was a subject of debate, Turkey should try hard to enter the EU. In order to accomplish this, Turkey has to comply with the Copenhagen criteria and before the coming Copenhagen summit. His third suggestion was on Cyprus. Clinton who pointed out that there were many people on both sides who were expecting a solution, said that it was time to leave behind the past and look to the future. A solution to the problem would lead Turkey and Greece to play important roles in the coming period. On attracting foreign investment, he said that if Turkey entered the EU it would come naturally. Why does Clinton or the US want Turkey to be admitted into the EU? In Turkey, certain circles used to say that the US considered the EU as a rival to itself and therefore did not wish Turkey, dependent on itself, to enter into that orbit. Clinton explained the cause of this special interest thusly: 'When Turkey enters the EU, Turkish-US relations will not weaken but grow stronger.' He said that they shared the same ideals. The EU was emerging as an economic power and the US would not go on forever as an economic and military superpower in the world as history's Roman Empire and Ottoman Empire did not last forever. The US shares the same values as Europe. That was why they were working together. The shared values are a reason why the US wants to see Turkey in the EU. There may be differences of opinion between the US and the EU from time to time. But these should not be seen as two rival blocs. In this situation, there is cooperation within competition. Although Clinton didn't say, there are other reasons why the US supports Turkey regarding the EU. In this way, it will provide the Turkish economy an opportunity to get its act together more quickly. Furthermore, Turkey's gaining a place in the Western family will prevent it from sliding to extremes both in internal and foreign politics. These are necessary for US interests.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION