STATE THAT DOESN’T MARK CHRISTIAN CHURCH WITH CROSS HAS NO PLACE IN EUROPE

PanARMENIAN.Net
04.04.2007 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Official Ankara was gladdened with resumption of the
dialogue that was suspended last December, inasmuch the EU decision
may raise the rating of Turkey that has failed to represent itself
as a tolerant and democratic state. The evidence is the slaying
of Agos editor Hrant Dink, opening of the Church of Holy Cross on
Akhtamar island, intrusion of Turkish troops in Northern Iraq under
the pretence of struggle against the Kurdish Workers’ Party and last
but not least, Ankara’s unwillingness to open air and sea ports for
Cypriot vessels. As it’s known, the talks were broken over Turkey’s
failure to fulfill the additional protocol on Customs Union.

Turkish nationalism is not the only reason which is not openly
mentioned at the talks but which appears another stumbling block
for full membership in the European family. Turkish Post newspaper
writes, " Each morning children dressed in uniform line up in the
schoolyard in front of the statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and say
"he is the happy man, who can say he is Turk." According to a Reuters
reporter, since the day of Hrant Dink’s murder more and more Turks see
a threat to the development of the state. Maybe presidential contender
Nicolas Sarkozy is right to say Turkey has no place in the European
Union. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also spoke out against
Turkey’s membership preferring the formula of "privileged partnership."

This position is proved by the fact that wasn’t invited to EU
summit in Berlin. "If Germany invited candidate states it would be a
demonstration of unity of the European family," Turkish MFA official
Levent Bilman said. This address was followed by vague statements by
PM Erdogan and FM Gul who said "they were planning a visit to Berlin
in April and absence of invitation didn’t changed anything."

Nevertheless, the talks may be stopped at any moment if Turkey refuses
to meet commitments as regards Cyprus and the notorious article
301. Another point is relations with the U.S. Washington insists on
Turkey’s accession to the EU but some changes in the U.S.

internal policy may have a negative impact on Turkey.

First of all, it’s the Armenian Genocide bill, complex state of the
Bush administration and tension over the Iranian problem. From this
standpoint thinking that Turkey may join the EU in 10 years is too
optimistic.

A state that doesn’t mark Christian church with cross has no place
in Europe.

"PanARMENIAN.Net" analytical department