CRUSHING TURKEY’S HOPES FOR EU ENTRY IS A DEATH SENTENCE FOR ITS REFORM DRIVE

The Daily Star, Lebanon
Sept 29 2005

Editorial

Although the European Parliament’s resolution to add new conditions
to Turkey’s accession to the European Union will not affect the start
of negotiations toward this end, the move was yet another example
of Europe’s deep reluctance to welcome Turkey into the union. It has
been over 40 years since Turkey first applied to be a member of what
was then the ECC, and during the course of a long and tedious journey
toward membership, Turkey has patiently waited for a sign that the
desired outcome is within reach.

The Turkish government has now made it clear that its patience
is running out. Yesterday, the Foreign Ministry reiterated that
Turkey will reject an offer of “privileged partnership” and will only
participate in negotiations that are geared toward full membership. A
failure on the part of the EU to offer membership will likely disrupt
the process of engagement that Europe has maintained with Turkey in
recent years.

We have already seen the benefits of Europe’s engagement with the
Turkey. To get this far in the process, Turkey has made great strides
in implementing a number of wide-ranging political reforms. The
government has abolished state security courts, reformed the penal
code, scrapped the death penalty and allowed Kurdish to be taught and
spoken in schools. There is still much more that needs to be done
in terms of political reform, improving human rights, protecting
minorities, recognizing Cyprus and acknowledging the Armenian
genocide. But keeping the process of negotiations alive will ensure
that there is continued progress on these and other fronts.

Breaking away from this process prematurely, however, would be a
recipe for disaster. Without the goal of membership in view, there
is little motivation for Turkey to continue on its current path.

Turkey’s accession could take as long as 10 years and it stands to
reason that during the lengthy process of negotiation, there will
be ample time for Turkey to make even greater advancements toward
a democratic state. The start of membership talks should therefore
be viewed as the beginning of a prolonged dialogue in which Europe
has an opportunity to promote democracy in Turkey, and by extension,
in the entire Middle East.