Why Is E.U. (still) Doubtful?

MILLIYET- Columnist Sami Kohen comments on the reasons why the EU is treating Turkey in a hesitant and cold manner. A summary of his column is as follows:
Why are the European Union officials doubtful about setting a specific date for the beginning of Turkey’s EU accession talks? In other words, why is the EU hesitant towards Turkey generally? Actually the recent statement by European Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen reflects the atmosphere of doubt and the lack of confidence within the EU circles. Not only Verheugen, but also other EU officials and diplomats say that they want to see the ‘implementation of reforms’ so as to set a specific date. It is natural for the EU to request from the candidate countries to comply with the Copenhagen criteria completely. For this purpose, Turkey has worked and is still working very hard to take the precautions to meet the expectations of the EU. Now the EU’s sensitivity and hesitance concerning the ‘implementations’ should be considered as a sign of its lack of confidence in Turkey. To tell the truth, the EU is doubtful about this issue. Unfortunately, in spite of Turkey’s determination and the laws that were amended in Turkey, the old mentality in certain fields is still carried out in Turkey. Actually various sections of the Turkish nation have been complaining about it and the press has often expressed this. Shortly, Turkey started to give an end to certain practices, which contradict with the legal and political standards that it wants to reach. Turkey has to act in a determined manner in this issue as well, just as it did in terms of legal regulations. However, the EU should appreciate Turkey’s determination and encourage Turkey by making a decision on a specific date. The EU’s skepticism and hesitation about giving a date is the new reflection of its cold and negative attitude towards Turkey for a long time. There are many reasons why the EU is treating Turkey this way: Unfortunately Europeans are prejudiced about Turkey and Turks, who they don’t know well. This prejudice derives from the religious and cultural differences. Even some European leaders sometimes show this difference as an obstacle before Turkey’s membership openly, don’t they? The thought of the membership of Turkey, which is a country with high a population, is causing concern within the EU. The EU is not just worried about the possible problems of integrating a crowded Turkey and the financial support that it will have to extend Turkey. The EU is also concerned about the possibility of a mass migration of Turks. The geographical situation of Turkey also causes uneasiness within the EU circles. The thought that if Turkey becomes an EU member, the EU borders will surpass outside Europe and the EU will ‘border’ such countries as Iraq and Iran is disturbing the EU as well. Where are certain ‘current’ reasons to ba added to these ‘factors of reluctance.’ For example, it considers Turkey responsible for not solving the Cyprus problem mostly and it stipulates Ankara to act in a more compromising manner. The EU also wants to wait for the results of the elections to sea how much the anti-EU powers will affect the Turkish policy. At this last point, we are almost deciphering the thoughts and wishes of the anti-Turkey powers within the EU: ‘We hope the desires of those who are against the EU in Turkey will be achieved and Turkey’s membership will be suspended’.

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