Zaman Online, Turkey
July 4 2005
Is this how to Treat a Future Partner?
TAMER KORKMAZ
There is no surprise on the Western front. An announcement made by
the EU Commission on June 29 confirmed that Turkey’s negotiation
process will begin on October 3 and that the common goal will be
“full membership” under a “draft framework.”
Turkey’s opponents targeted the October 3 date after the referenda on
the EU Constitution, however, it was impossible for the EU to reneg
on its December 17 promise. Having had our roadmap clarified by the
“Draft Negotiation Framework,” our situation resembles that of a
soccer team that is relieved after winning an easy match, because its
past is full of consecutive defeats.
EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn reminds us that our full
membership is not something guaranteed, by pointing out that the
privileged partnership discussion will also continue in the years
ahead.
Our membership is not possible before 2014. French President
[Jacques] Chirac had mentioned “2020” a few months ago, however, most
recently, European Socialist Party leader Rasmussen said Turkey’s
integration into the EU might drag on until 2025 or 2030!
Our membership date is being adjourned day after day just like a
court trial. They seem to talking about a science fiction adventure
when they are talking about our EU journey!
It is being carefully emphasized that our negotiation process will be
very difficult and will take a long time. If they see serious
violations, the “open-ended” full membership target might be
suspended. German magazine Die Welt reports that paranoia and
intolerance are widely seen between the lines of the so-called draft
negotiation framework. It is right. The magazine says the first
sentence of the draft framework, which puts the responsibility for
success or failure on Turkey, is in fact, an invitation to privileged
partnership. (Recently, Die Welt also attracted attention by asking
what Turkey’s role was in an EU that is about to sink).
Those, who view the EU Commission’s statement as equivocal language,
make up the majority in the European media. Let’s ask as an Austrian
newspaper: Is this how to treat a future partner?
Turkey secured the October 3 date, nonetheless, this should never
create an illusion because the reality starts after October 3.
An analysis published in The Times three days ago, said Turkey’s EU
membership dreams should be killed during the membership negotiation
process! It is clearly evident that this strategy has been reflected
exactly on the draft negotiation framework.
The referenda in France and The Netherlands seriously hit the
enlargement process, hence, our full membership. Our opponents in
Europe say let’s finally admit Bulgaria and Romania (in 2007) and
then shut the door on enlargement. They want us to fall into the
situation of fans, who have been standing in line for hours to buy a
ticket for a derby match, and when their turn comes, the ticket
office window is suddenly slammed in their faces. The commentary in
The Times indicates that several EU diplomats believe the referenda
results made the killing of Turkey’s membership inevitable; but
because no politician wants to be accused of murder, it might be a
slow death! This is not for nothing. This analysis realistically
portrays the course of the “EU-style Western.”
We all saw that only Britain supported Turkey at the EU leaders’
summit two weeks ago (June 16-17). Even Chirac had to take a step
back. As a matter of fact, it is a high probability that Nicolas
Sarkozy is about to appear on the stage as the protagonist and say,
“let enlargement be suspended!” whenever he opens his mouth.
Apparently, they will put many unprecedented obstacles before us
during the negotiation process. For example, the Armenian issue…It is
certain that Turkey will not throw in the towel on the EU journey. It
should continue its EU bid in a steadfast manner; however, Ankara has
to stand up against possible “Twilight Zone” demands.