ICELAND THROWS DOWN A POLITICAL CHALLENGE TO TURKEY
Azerbaijan Business Center
July 17 2009
Baku, Fineko/abc.az. Iceland which bankrupted during first volleys
of the global economic crisis has stooped to the proposal to become
part of the European Union.
Alting, general assembly of the Island voted for country’s joining
the EU.
33 mercantile citizens voted "for" and 28 liberty-loving vikings
voted "against". This numeral superiority can hardly be called
large. Besides, the Island will not become a EU member right now. But
the event for Europe as a whole and the EU in particular is decisive.
Icelandic Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir has already called
the voting a "historical moment to have very favorable consequences
for the future of the nation". But she apparently did not think
of what a challenge the 33 mercantilists have thrown down to the
European Commission.
The point is that registration of EU membership of Iceland, an island
lying between Europe and America, while simultaneously the EU in fact
refuses Turkey located on the European territory will mean moral and
political insult to the Turkish elite that sets a goal of country’s
acceding to the EU and agrees constantly on concessions for the sake
of getting devout membership.
Acceptance of Iceland that in fact gives nothing to Europe with
simultaneous refusal to Turkey will mean violation of norms
established by the EU itself, in particular norms of equality,
tolerance, democracy.
In practice it will mean that the 70-million European, although Moslem,
country, has less rights to become part of the EU than the Christian
island lost in the Atlantic. If such a choice is made, then Georgia
with Armenia will be able to enter the EU earlier than Turkey which
realized scheme of "Islamic democracy" (on analogy with European
Christian democrats) or even earlier than secular Azerbaijan.
Iceland defied a challenge to the EU, Turkey and all the states that
have done much to enter in "single Europe". Choice in favor of Iceland
will lead inevitably to appearance of alternate blocs.
At the same time no one should be deceived that Iceland was declining
from membership in the EU for the reason of discontent with quota for
fishing and that this island is a member of NATO, Northern Council,
IMF, WB, UN and its organizations, CE and European Free Trade
Association. But the same Turkey has no less regalia and deserts in
"cold war".