DON’T SAY NO TO TURKEY
Pascal Boniface

Gulf News
April 17 2009
UAE

By publicly supporting Turkish candidacy for membership of the European
Union, US President Barack Obama has triggered a controversy among
many European leaders and commentators.

"It is none of your business," has been the most frequent retort from
Europeans. Just as European countries are not lecturing the United
States on the limits of the North American Free Trade Agreement –
by suggesting that Cuba be admitted, for example – it follows that
Washington should not seek to define the borders or the membership
of the EU.

The most outspoken critic on this issue has been French President
Nicolas Sarkozy, who has recently decided to fully reintegrate France
into the Nato military structure and has made a strong relationship
between France and the US a priority.

Knowing that the French are opposed to Turkish integration (figures
from a recent poll showed 55 per cent in opposition to Turkish
admission and only 35 per cent in favour), Sarkozy must think that
this is his chance to prove he is not an American lackey.

The public opposition to integrating Turkey into the EU can be
explained from various perspectives.

Some people argue that as Turkey is a Muslim country, it does not
meet European standards – despite its secular leadership. Others
point to the size of its population: with 75 million inhabitants,
Turkey would be the most heavily populated country in the union. It
would also be one of the poorest, with less than 5,000 euros of gross
national product per capita. Keeping in mind that new members are
provided with generous economic assistance, it is uncertain whether
Europe could afford to admit Turkey.

History and geography are also evoked. Turkey doesn’t belong to Europe,
some say. The army plays too important a role in Turkey for the nation
to be ranked as a truly democratic country by European standards,
others argue.

The Armenian community has mobilised and demands that Ankara recognise
and ask forgiveness for the 1915 genocide before any steps are
taken towards European membership. The Cyprus conflict also remains
unresolved, and the Kurdish minority contends that it is not fairly
treated.

The arguments against Turkey are clearly numerous. But another
viewpoint is possible.

The fact that Turkey is a Muslim country should not be seen as a
handicap. Rather, this should be considered an advantage at a time
when relations between Muslim and Western countries are of utmost
importance. Turkey is a secular country and could provide a bridge
between the two civilisations.

The Ottoman Empire was certainly a colonial power in Arab countries,
and the latter have had difficult relations with Ankara in the
past. But despite historical differences, the position taken by
European countries towards Muslim Turkey sends an important message
to Arab countries. Some think that Europe is a Christian club. Others
see Europe as a union of countries in which religion is a private
matter and where many Muslims already live.

It is true that the majority of Turkish territory is located
in Asia. But part of it is in Europe and this is sufficient
from a juridical point of view. Historically, Turkey belongs to
Eur-ope. Francis I of France had an alliance with the Ottoman Empire
in the 16th century.

During the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire was known as the ‘Sick
Man of Europe’ – hardly a compliment, but at least recognition of
being part of the family. The role of the Turkish army has also
been downsized, ironically by the ruling party, a Muslim party
which compares itself to European Christian democrat parties. Taking
advantage of a football World Cup qualification match between Armenia
and Turkey, Turkish President Abdullah Gul also recently made a trip
to Armenia.

Furthermore, the Turkish economy is growing steadily and quickly. The
demographic transition has already been achieved. With 2.2 children
per woman, Turkey is close to French standards (2.1), keeping in
mind that France has the highest birth rate in Europe. But there is
no reason to fear a demographic explosion in Turkey.

In fact, the reluctance of many Eur-opean citizens regarding European
enlargement to include Turkey is more an opposition to enlargement
itself than to Turkey in particular. Europe has grown too much and
too quickly and European citizens are demanding a break. They do not
recognise Europe and they fear that political power is further and
further from their daily preoccupations. Ironically, Europe is more
popular outside its boundaries than within.

Last but not least, Turkish integration is not an urgent
matter. Membership negotiations always involve a long process and
will last for at least 10 years if not more. So it is both highly
unwelcome and unnecessary to close the door on Turkey now. Europe
would do better to continue negotiations in good faith. To be truly
powerful, Europe will need Turkey’s help.

Dr Pascal Boniface is the founder and director of the Institut de
Relations Internationales et Strategiques.