Turkey, EU and the membership issue

For those that know me, I have a fascination for what is happening in Europe and the gradual transformation the European Union into a federal state. Currently 25 countries form the EU, with another half a dozen or so waiting for their memberships to be approved. It is expected that within the next 20 years, practically every single country in Europe will be within the EU, thus creating the third largest political entity after China and India.

One of those countries wishing to become a member of the EU is Turkey, which has been a Associate Member since 1964 and recognised as a candidate for membership in 1987. As with every other country that joins the EU, Turkey is required to meet certain criteria before being admitted. Under the membership guidelines that Turkey accepted, the EU measures Turkey’s implementation of its obligations. And this is where the issue arises.

The EU does not expect anything more from Turkey than what it expected from the other countries that have joined the EU in the past. To join the EU, Turkey must meet the following Copenhagen criteria established by the European Council in 1993:

* stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities
* the existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union
* the ability to take on the obligations of membership including adherence to the aims of political, economic & monetary union

In Turkey’s defence, the Turkish government has made considerable strides in trying to bring their country in line with the Copenhagen criteria through political and economic reform. However, it has continually failed to abide by the requirement to allow trade with all other EU member states. It’s continual denial of access to its ports by Cyprus [an EU member] is contrary to its obligations under the EU agreement which it signed. Bringing into the equation of northern Cyprus is a side issue, for its only Turkey going through the official EU membership process not northern Cyprus.

True, northern Cyprus needs to resolve its differences with the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus, but this is an issue for the two Cypriot communities. Turkey opening up the two northern Cypriot ports to Cyprus rather than Turkish ports, is contrary to their EU membership obligations.

The end result to this is quite simple. If Turkey is serious about joining the European Union, it needs to abide by the criteria that the EU has set in place and which Turkey has signed. The criteria are non-negotiable and Turkey needs to realise this. The EU will not reduce the requirements for membership for Turkey, and the sooner they realise, this the better.

Greece - Turkey’s long standing rival - has thrown its support behind Turkey’s admittance into the EU, in the hope that by having Turkey within the Union, peace and stability can be brought into the region. Further, Greece’s support is crucial to the resolution of the Cyprus issue and the eventual unification of the divided island.

For Turkey, the best option would be to focus on fulfilling its membership obligations with the EU, and leave the Cyprus issue aside. Once it fulfills its obligations, Turkey - in conjunction with Greece - can then turn their attention to resolving the Cyprus issue.

Having said that, my gravest concern with Turkey joining the EU is this. If Turkey is not willing to abide by the membership conditions that every other country had to abide by before joining, how are they going to act once they do become a member of the European Union?

Time will tell what the outcome will be, but at the present, the chest-beating by Turkey is doing no one any good, especially Turkey.

James Bailey