Comments 12

A Turkish Thorn in the EU’s Side

Mar 23, 2017 Javier Solana

While the EU tries to weather a populist, nationalist storm that threatens its core institutions, some of its most important strategic allies have injected more uncertainty into the current political climate. Chief among them is Turkey, which has now taken an alarming turn away from democratic norms.

MADRID – While the European Union tries to weather a nationalist storm that threatens its core institutions, some of its most important strategic allies have injected more uncertainty into the current political climate. A clear example is Turkey, which has been a NATO member state since 1952, and an official candidate to join the EU since 1999.

On paper, Turkey looks like an ideal country to serve as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East. But it has now taken an alarming turn away from Europe, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan even accusing the German and Dutch governments of acting like Nazis.

Since withstanding an attempted coup last July, Erdoğan has taken advantage of a national state of emergency to go on the offensive and shore up his power. A surge in popularity has buttressed his new strategy of governing by decree. So far, more than 100,000 civil servants have been fired or suspended, and many of Erdoğan’s political rivals have been jailed. Numerous civil-society organizations and news outlets have been shut down, and Turkey now holds the dubious honor of having a record-breaking number of journalists behind bars.

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Javier Solana

Writing for PS since 2004
99 Commentaries

Javier Solana was EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Secretary-General of NATO, and Foreign Minister of Spain. He is currently President of the ESADE Center for Global Economy and Geopolitics, Distinguished Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Europe.

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B Wilds Mar 27, 2017

The recent coup in Turkey speaks volumes as to the fragility of Governments and should be viewed as a warning to investors on just how vulnerable governments can be. When you have investments within the border of a country in turmoil you are at risk. Turkey is an interesting case in point.

Turkey, a member of NATO and was supposed to become a member of the European Union is rapidly becoming a hardcore radical Islamic dictatorship. One thing is clear, the direction Turkey takes will ultimately have tremendous implications and profound impact on Europe and the entire Middle East in coming years. More on this subject in the article below.

http://brucewilds.blogspot.com/2016/07/coup-in-turkey-and-why-its-important.html
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hasan tosun Mar 27, 2017

I have not seen an article of an old EU politician that is relatively optimist about Turkey for a long time.

Between 2004-2010, there was a trend in Turkey, that all EU members were happy about it. Advancement on phases succeeded so rapidly. But, firstly Aznar of Spain, secondly Merkel of Germany then Sarkozy of France had heavily started to lean on anti-Turkey campaigns so as to consolidate power. Turkish politicians witnessed extraordinary diplomatic alienation at every level of EU organizations.
Then, being acknowledged by the intention of the outstanding EU leaders, Turkish politicians have started using this new trend as an advantage in domestic campaign, literally as they were taught by EU counterparts. For example, whenever Sarkozy stated that Turkey does NOT belong to EU, it triggered anti-EU and anti-France campaign in Turkey. Whenever Merkel, who loves doing this, stressed Turkish immigrant integration unsuccessful, It sparked anti-German news in Turkey. Guess who has gained on this trash talk. Erdogan? It barely helped him to manage EU relations. In fact, the hidden winner is Merkel, she is all the best without hesitation.
What she has been doing since then only keeps Turkey out of EU. That gave her a stable position at the top of state through all those years. I am not saying that Turkey deserved the membership in that period. However, How she approached to the case and set a resistant front against to Turkey was totally out of mind.

At the end of the day, the motivation of anti-Turkey campaign was to block masses to immigrate EU. However, the majority of Turks emigrating from Turkey is either unemployed or receiving low wages. If Turkey was an EU member that time, what would have been solved or avoided, according to my perspective is as follows;

- In compliance with EU regulations there would not be a refugee flood to EU, as is happening now. Turkey would be able to control its border strictly.

- EU partners would have invested in Turkey for dying industries in their domestic economy due to high costs. And, that is why South asian countries stole those businesses from Europeans by ignoring intellectual property right. Ain't do anything about it now. Opening a factory in China will never help.

- The investment to Turkey would lead lower the unemployment and higher wages, that controlled the immigrants in Turkey.

- EU would be able to lead any process by using trade relations and EU funds. Because, People would understand that wealth and welfare comes from EU. And, that lead Turks prioritize their partners' interest.

- Be able to travel freely, kurds would have understood that being alienated is not about their identity or ethnicity, and that having european standards would refute the reasons for dying other’ interest.

Acting like a lazy college eventually will be schooled by the powers out of region. As we will experience it for sure, after Brexit, France will be out soon. And, you will keep funding Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece alone. Being proud of engine of Europe may not be enough, though.
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Elizabeth Pula Mar 25, 2017

The EU nations have no responsibility to Turkey. If the EU couldn't decide over the last 18 years, the "cause' for indecision is publicly reveal its ugly head for all to see. What has been kept behind closed doors is finally being exposed.
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Elizabeth Pula Mar 25, 2017

EU nations would be absolutely foolish to consider TUrkey as a member of the EU. That move would definitely cause further internal destruction of political democratic, or even any basic political stability within the member nations.
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hasan tosun Mar 25, 2017

I have not seen an article of an old EU politician that is relatively optimist about Turkey for a long time.

Between 2004-2010, there was a trend in Turkey, that all EU members were happy about it. Advancement on phases succeeded so rapidly. But, firstly Aznar of Spain, secondly Merkel of Germany then Sarkozy of France had heavily started to lean on anti-Turkey campaigns so as to consolidate power. Turkish politicians witnessed extraordinary diplomatic alienation at every level of EU organizations.
Then, being acknowledged by the intention of the outstanding EU leaders, Turkish politicians have started using this new trend as an advantage in domestic campaign, literally as they were taught by EU counterparts. For example, whenever Sarkozy stated that Turkey does NOT belong to EU, it triggered anti-EU and anti-France campaign in Turkey. Whenever Merkel, who loves doing this, stressed Turkish immigrant integration unsuccessful, It sparked anti-German news in Turkey. Guess who has gained on this trash talk. Erdogan? It barely helped him to manage EU relations. In fact, the hidden winner is Merkel, she is all the best without hesitation.
What she has been doing since then only keeps Turkey out of EU. That gave her a stable position at the top of state through all those years. I am not saying that Turkey deserved the membership in that period. However, How she approached to the case and set a resistant front against to Turkey was totally out of mind.

At the end of the day, the motivation of anti-Turkey campaign was to block masses to immigrate EU. However, the majority of Turks emigrating from Turkey is either unemployed or receiving low wages. If Turkey was an EU member that time, what would have been solved or avoided, according to my perspective is as follows;

- In compliance with EU regulations there would not be a refugee flood to EU, as is happening now. Turkey would be able to control its border strictly.

- EU partners would have invested in Turkey for dying industries in their domestic economy due to high costs. And, that is why South asian countries stole those businesses from Europeans by ignoring intellectual property right. Ain't do anything about it now. Opening a factory in China will never help.

- The investment to Turkey would lead lower the unemployment and higher wages, that controlled the immigrants in Turkey.

- EU would be able to lead any process by using trade relations and EU funds. Because, People would understand that wealth and welfare comes from EU. And, that lead Turks prioritize their partners' interest.

- Be able to travel freely, kurds would have understood that being alienated is not about their identity or ethnicity, and that having european standards would refute the reasons for dying other’ interest.

Acting like a lazy college eventually will be schooled by the powers out of region. As we will experience it for sure, after Brexit, France will be out soon. And, you will keep funding Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece alone. Being proud of engine of Europe may not be enough, though.
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Tok Koon Chia Mar 25, 2017

Turkey had in fact expressed interest to join the EU's predecessor, the European Community as early as 1987, and I would say the fact that it only received official candidacy in 1999 and that negotiations are still underway while the EU have massively expanded in other directions in the interim means that the EU is blocking Turkey's ascension for more than just its stated reasons. Is it not surprising then that there comes a time when a Turkish leader would decide that it is a futile gesture to jump through impossible hoops to join an organisation unenthusiastic to their country and then forges a new path in a completely different direction?
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j. von Hettlingen Mar 24, 2017

Javier Solana is urging Turkey to "adopt a less erratic foreign policy and allow citizens to express themselves freely in the upcoming referendum and other future votes." Recep Tayyip Erdogan is appealing to his supporters to vote "Yes" in the April referendum, that would give him autocratic powers. Indeed, what happens if he doesn't win?
On the surface, it might seem a proposal that would enjoy cross-party support: modernising Turkey's constitution that was drawn up after the 1980 coup. But polls have broadly shown that Turks are divided, with about 40% in favour of changing the constitution - which would turn Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential republic - 40% against and the remaining 20% undecided.
A defeat is unthinkable, as it would be a humiliation for a man who brought Turkey years of economic growth. But critics see Erdogan as an despotic, divisive leader intolerant of dissent, who harshly silences anyone who opposes him. They fear Turkey would not have a presidential system with proper checks and balances like the US, where an independent judiciary is willing to stand up to Donald Trump and a rigorous free press takes him to task. Judicial independence has plummeted in Turkey, which also "holds the dubious honor of having a record-breaking number of journalists behind bars."
The ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) looks at the Turkish diaspora in Europe - many of the 4 million Turks have dual citizenship with a right to vote. Members of Erdogan's cabinet have been travelling across Europe in recent weeks, seeking to woo Turkish expats. A vitriolic diplomatic row has unfolded as many in Europe oppose Turkish campaign for an imperial presidency on their soil. It enrages Erdogan, as he feels he has never been adequately thanked by Europe for all his efforts in giving safe harbour to millions of Syrian refugees. The March 2016 agreement between Turkey and the EU aims to stem the flow of refugees into Europe.
Ever since the failed coup in July 2016, Erdogan - a cunning politician - has exploited continuing threats to the state - real and perceived - to persuade his people that they need a different kind of democracy. Bombings by ISIS and the separatist Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK), as well as the network of supporters close to Erdogan's nemesis, Fethullah Gülen - whom Erdogan blames for the attempted coup - ought to necessitate the change that could somehow end terrorist attacks killing more than 500 people in the past 18 months. He has a massive propaganda machine behind him with one message: “For a strong Turkey, vote yes.”
Erdogan's reconciliation with Vladimir Putin after the downing of a Russian fighter jet in November 2015 may not sustain as the two leaders have different objectives in Syria. Apart from propping up the Assad regime, Russia has recognised the growing importance of the Syrian Kurds. Moscow seems eager to establish leverage over all of the major players in the conflict, knowing the Kurdish question "is a longstanding source of geopolitical uncertainty in the region."
The author says the US and the EU still have the potential to compel Erdogan "to pursue sensible priorities." The EU should insist that Turkey be committed to "a stable, pluralistic" country, if it aspired to join the bloc. "Despite Erdoğan’s growing hostility, the EU should not hesitate to defend its ties with Turkey, or to remind Turkey that the relationship has been mutually beneficial. After all, Turkey’s 1995 customs-union agreement with the EU has contributed substantially to its economic development."
But for the time being, the EU is Erdogan's convenient scapegoat. The author says, while it would be "counterproductive" to respond to Erdogan's evocation of nazism and Islamophobia, the EU "does need to send a clear message that its partnership with Turkey is highly valuable, but not unconditional."
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Henk Crop Mar 24, 2017

Mr. Solana fails to see is that a clash of civilzation is taking place. When Turkey joined the NATO it was a country on the road, since 1922, to becoming a secular democratic society. However since mr. Erdogan took over the country is developing into an islamic autocratic state, dreaming about the Ottoman past.
The EU should maintain good relations with Turkey but it should also criticaly review the influence Turkey has on European countries, like the promotion of Islam, immigrants with a double passport, enhancing the birthrate of Turkish immigrants. And Turkey as an Islamic state should not join the EU.
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Andrew Cole Mar 24, 2017

The EU is verging on defenceless without the US and is now intent on running an economic war against one of its main sources of defence, the UK, whilst falling out with the US as part of Franco-German supremacy. As a result of this, and the essentially parasitic defence policy pursued by Germany, Central, an Southern Europe, the EU is exposed to attack from Russia and/or Turkey, with the toy army proposed by Presidents Junker, Tusk etc little more than a bad joke. This weakness through the hubris of Germany, France, the commission, and some other countries is an invitation to invasion and destruction.
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Steve Hurst Mar 23, 2017

'On paper, Turkey looks like an ideal country to serve as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East'

Or perhaps there is deep rooted cultural incompatibility between the ME and Europe not the least on human rights and Turkey has been put in an impossible position trying to be all things to all parties, further compounded by internal disputes and breakaway groups. Erdogan is gaming the EU at present because the fledgling application for EU membership is dead in the water at the moment so what is there to lose. As for the EU it needs a reality check, it is clearly struggling with the mentality of some of the newer entrants
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Paul Daley Mar 23, 2017

As this piece notes, Turkey has been an official candidate for EU membership for 18 years, because of foolish obstructionism by some member states. The same issue has plagued EU/Russian negotiations. The EU exists to overcome historical enmities; it should not be used, as it has been, to reinforce divisions. That just leads to turmoil within the EU and on its borders. The EU should be truer to its mission; that will leave it in a far better position to preach to others about their democratic responsibilities.
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A Turkish Thorn in the EU’s Side

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