Why Turkey should be admitted to EU

When interviewing Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erd-ogan for Syria's Forward Magazine in mid-2007, I asked him about his country's application to join the European Union, which dates back to 1987.

The prime minister noted: "Those who have witnessed various phases of Turkey-EU relations know that perceptions on both sides have changed considerably. However, changing these perceptions does not depend only on Turkey. In particular, uncontrolled public statements made against Turkey's membership or proposals for alternative kinds of partnership do not help the efforts in this respect."

Europe remains sharply divided on whether to accept the Turkish application or not. One vociferous opponent is French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has said: "I do not believe that Turkey belongs to Europe, and for a simple reason, because it is in Asia Minor." One of the reasons consecutive French presidents since Valery Giscard d'Estaing have opposed Turkey's membership (with the notable exception of Jacques Chirac) is that it would open the door to further expansion, possibly inspiring states such as Morocco (whose application was rejected on geographic grounds) to reapply for membership.

Turkey has been an associate member of the EU, and its predecessor, the European Community, since 1963, having officially applied back in 1959, after having joined Nato in 1952. It was officially recognised as a candidate for full EU membership in 1999, at the famous Helsinki Summit. Many events hampered the acceptance process, such as the 1980 coup in Turkey, internal issues related to human rights, the country's poor relations with Greece, and its support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and a narrow-minded argument that says because of its Muslim culture, Turkey is not European enough. Additionally, Turkey has a population of 71 million, meaning, it would be second only to Germany, which has a population of 82 million. Therefore, Turkey would get the second largest number of seats in the European Parliament. According to demographic studies, Turkey's population would outnumber Germany's by 2020. While the EU's population is ageing, Turkey has a relatively young population, with 25.5 per cent below the age of 15.

So much has been written about why Turkey must not be allowed to join the EU. This article will try to shed light on why Turkey should become a member of the EU.

Stability, both economic and political, followed the 2002 Turkish elections, which brought the Justice and Development Party (AKP) to power, headed by Erdogan. In 2004, Turkey showed great lenience by supporting the UN-backed Annan Plan for Cyprus, which was also supported by Turkish Cypriots. Erdogan's government abolished capital punishment, outlawed torture and granted more rights to Turkey's Kurds.

One benefit for Europe would be Turkey's high-speed railway, which could help to improve trade between the EU and the Middle East. Turkey's membership would enhance the EU as a global player, given its ties to the region in location, economy, politics and culture. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt was quoted as saying: "The accession of Turkey would give the EU a decisive role for stability in the eastern part of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, which is clearly in the strategic interest of Europe." Great Britain is another supporter of Turkey's membership application, and in May 2008, Queen Elizabeth II said that "Turkey is uniquely positioned as a bridge between the East and West at a crucial time for the European Union, and the world in general."

Turkey has the 15th largest economy in the world, and its GDP increased by an average 7.4 per cent between 2002 and 2007. Despite the current world financial crisis, the country's growth rate in 2008 was an impressive 4.5 per cent. Agriculture, which used to serve as the backbone of the Turkish economy, now constitutes no more than 8.9 per cent of the GDP. Industry stands at 30.8 per cent, while services - in which the Turks have excelled - stands at 60 per cent.

Some cite Turkish income per capita as a problem, given that a 2006 Eurostat report put the average monthly wage in the Turkish republic at 331 euros (Dh1,610.99). Even then, however, this was larger than the same wage in nine EU countries. In Bulgaria, for example, it stands at 82 euros, while in the Czech Republic it is 261 euros.

When speaking of his country's application, Erdogan said: "Turkey's membership to the EU will demonstrate that different cultures with varying traditions can accommodate globally recognised values and principles. It will solidify Turkey's role as a bridge between East and West."

Brussels believes, however, that the earliest date for Turkey's acceptance into the EU is 2021. Optimists in Turkey and Europe have set a more ambitious target date: 2013.

The possibility of increased trade with the Middle East, a vibrant, young population, a cosmopolitan culture, a rich history, and a booming economy are among the reasons why Turkey's application must be taken seriously in the EU.

Sami Moubayed is a Syrian political analyst.

Do you think Europeans nations will take this seriously from a Syrian political analyst? I do not think so.
Farouk
Syrianakhouri,Cyprus
Posted: April 28, 2009, 01:01