HURRIYET- Columnist Ferai Tunc writes about the renewed enthusiasm for and competition between certain political parties in Turkey on the issue of the European Union. A summary of her column is as follows:
As the date for elections draws closer, competition between political parties about our European Union membership bid is beginning to heat up. However, no matter the reason for such renewed enthusiasm, the fact that parties are embracing the objective of full membership is very positive. Deputy Prime Minister and Motherland Party (ANAP) leader Mesut Yilmaz travelled to EU Term President Denmark earlier this week to tell officials there of the need to set a date, at the Copenhagen summit this December, for the beginning of accession negotiations with Turkey. New Turkey Party (YTP) leader Ismail Cem just returned from Germany yesterday after having asked for German support. In addition, Foreign Minister Sukru Sina Gurel from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) called for a meeting with representatives of media and civil organisations to discuss their possible contributions to the EU process. At these meetings, Gurel spoke of the pivotal role of civil movements in promoting the harmonisation laws in EU member countries, adding that such efforts would boost Turkey’s chances of getting a date. While Cem and Yilmaz have chosen the direct diplomatic road to convince the EU, Gurel has opted to work with civil society. This may demonstrate a difference in political mentality; nevertheless it is a step in the right direction. The success of this civil movement, however, will depend on how non-governmental it really is. Wouldn’t it be a better move for the foreign minister to urge deputies to get in touch with their counterparts in Europe? Also, it shouldn’t be forgotten that the most important part of the reforms is how they are actually implemented. Gurel made several interesting remarks at the meeting with civil organisations on Wednesday. He said that Turkey had fulfilled its commitments towards the EU, and had even gone beyond them. He also pointed out that the scanning process had already been unofficially launched six months ago. Gurel also remarked that the EU’s ‘well done, now let’s see the implementation’ attitude was unacceptable. The reason for Gurel’s reaction is the possibility that the EU might use poor implementation as a pretext to exclude Turkey from the integration process. Justified as his concerns may be, we have to admit that the only way civil society movements can be effective in persuading the EU is if the reforms are implemented and accepted by the people.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION