Columnist Sami Kohen comments on European Convention Chairman Valery Giscard d’Estaing, who last week publicly stated that Turkey’s accession to the EU would bring about “the end” of the Union, and the future of Turkish-EU relations. A summary of his column is as follows:
It wouldn’t have mattered if he were a garden variety politician or diplomat. But Valery Giscard d’Estaing is the head of the European Union Convention, an institution responsible for shaping the EU’s future and its constitution. He is also a former president of France. Giscard’s statements are by no means acceptable and they are quite unfortunate, and they reflect shamefully on him.
I say ‘unfortunate,’ because they were spoken at just the wrong time. Turkey has just held democratic general elections and the incoming government seems to be giving the utmost priority, before everything else, to integration with the EU, and it has even take steps towards achieving that goal before officially taking power. And we hear Giscard saying, ‘Turkey’s place is not in Europe. Turkey’s culture and lifestyle can’t get along with those of Europe. Turkey’s accession would bring about “the end” of the EU.’ Giscard made a terrible mistake if he said these things deliberately, because these sentiments are far too shallow to let them just spill from your mouth.
Is geography the determining factor for being a EU member? Or is it not the political and economic criteria? Turkey has been trying to integrate with the EU for years now. Why has no-one told us before that the EU’s borders could be extended only to the Balkans, and no further? Turkey is already a member of certain organizations in Europe, such as the European Council and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Have these organizations in any way been ‘shaken’ or ‘torn apart’ because of Turkey? Giscard has not even the slightest bit of logic on his side in expressing such views. His issues with Turkey are completely emotional. Moreover, we have to admit that Giscard is not the only one among the EU’s top echelons who hold such an opinion about us. The reasons for this vary.
The EU says that Turkey is currently far from meeting the political criteria the Union has set. But Turkey also knows this, and it is trying to take necessary measures to reach that goal. However, certain quarters are abusing this situation to stop Turkey from becoming a member. Turkey is a crowded country, currently holding a population of 68 million people. Thus certain circles have deep concerns about our high population. There are also those people who do not want the EU to enlarge anymore, and who oppose extending the Union’s borders to the Middle East. In addition, they think that there are huge differences in terms of religion, culture and tradition between Turkey and Europe. And there are certain people who see Turkey as a poor country and hold that Turkey’s accession will bring an additional economic burden to the European countries.
Some of the above-listed reasons are nothing but the product of European prejudices and values. Giscard’s statements were also along these lines. Yet, many of the top EU officials gave him the right response. An EU Commission spokesman said that Giscard’s remarks reflected his ‘personal views’ alone, adding that the EU had not had a change of heart in its stance towards Turkey. Some people even called for Giscard to step down from his post.
So then, what should Turkey do right now? Our attitude should emulate the French saying: Les chiens aboient, la caravane passé [The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on].
SOURCE: OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER, DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF PRESS AND INFORMATION