BRINGING TURKEY CLOSER TO THE EU
Stefan Fule

Hurriyet
March 14 2010
Turkey

I have arrived in Turkey for my first official visit since the
beginning of my mandate as European Commissioner for Enlargement.

Bringing Turkey closer to the EU is among my highest priorities as
Commissioner. As I said during my hearings in the European Parliament
in January, asked if I could imagine a country like Turkey in the EU,
my answer remains the same: yes, I can.

Turkey has always been a key country for the EU due to its location,
its size and its strategic orientation. Its European vocation
has been confirmed over and over again through its membership in
many European organizations, as well as through the choices of its
political leaders over time. EU accession offers the most promising
and efficient prospect for continuing the modernization of Turkey,
which Kemal Ataturk began in 1923. And what better proof that Turkey
is in Europe than the selection of its beautiful Istanbul as the 2010
European Capital of Culture?

Our relations do not start from scratch. They already made history.

There is now free circulation of goods between Turkey and the EU,
bilateral trade has tripled, and today the EU is by far Turkey’s
biggest trading partner, while Turkey is the 7th most important
trade partner of the EU. Mergers and acquisitions involving EU and
Turkish companies have also increased dramatically, allowing our
economies to become ever more closely interdependent. In a sense,
Turkish economic competitiveness has become closely intertwined with
European competitiveness. But even more could be done to make sure
Turkey’s aspiration to join the EU could become one day a reality. And
the Commission is fully behind this objective. We need to pursue this
objective credibly and consistently.

I am aware of voices both in the EU and in Turkey who question this
course of action. But I have no doubt that honoring our commitments
is the right thing to do so that our engagement remains credible.

Credibility needs building with concrete actions on both sides. We
will continue our cooperation program and support the ambitious
reforms undertaken in Turkey. We need to continue working together on
the negotiations, opening new chapters as well as making progress in
the chapters that have already been opened. We need to overcome the
deadlock over Cyprus. With the ongoing negotiations in Cyprus there
is a unique opportunity to find a comprehensive settlement to reunify
the island. I will use all the instruments at my disposal to support
a solution to this problem.

I am convinced we can turn this around, from a vicious circle into a
virtuous one, provided there is political will of all actors involved.

I know it takes courage and determination to do so, but I believe
none is in short supply in Turkey. We have seen it already in the
constructive role Turkey played in the efforts towards normalization of
relations with Armenia. We fully support this process and stand ready
to extend technical and financial assistance to help implementing the
steps agreed between the two countries, including assistance related
to the opening of the border.

Turkey is strategically important not only for its regional leadership,
but also as the everyday demonstration that democracy, Islam and
secularism can work together. We have a large Muslim minority living
in the EU, practicing freely their religion and acting as responsible
citizens in democratic countries. Many of them are already EU
citizens. The EU is not defined by its religions but rather by its
respect for the fundamental freedoms that make the fabric of the
European societies, including freedom of religion.

As a country aspiring to join the EU, Turkey should make sure its
citizens enjoy the same freedoms in Turkey as they do in the EU. New
laws reinforcing the rights of citizens, workers and consumers,
improving sound management of public funds or food safety, are needed
not for the sake of the EU and of progress in the negotiations process,
but first and foremost for the sake of Turkey’s citizens.

These reforms are demanding and difficult. They require open and frank
discussions. They also require the capacity to have real dialogue and
a spirit of compromise between the different segments of society and
the political parties. Coming from the Czech Republic, which joined
the European Union only six years ago, I can assure you this will be
worthwhile, as it is the key to success in the accession negotiations.

* Mr. Stefan Fule is the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and
Neighbourhood Policy.