Turkish delight
Turkey is again very much on the European agenda. And rightly so. Turkey is a European country. Consequently, it has the possibility to become a member of the EU. That is why EU accepted the country as a candidate for membership already in 1999. And that is why negotiations about it have started this week.
But as always in political discussions a range of misunderstandings and a dramatic ignorance play a key role in the ongoing debate.
"But Turkey must fullfil ALL the conditions", say many with a sceptical mind. Yes, of course, is the answer. This is an unconditional condition - like in all negotiations on membership. It is Turkey which applies for membership. Not the EU which applies for membership in Turkey. Therefore, she has to fulfill all conditions. Everybody knows that this will take years - but everybody with just some knowledge of the facts also knows that Turkey has made a LOT of progress over the last few years.
"The Turks will come and take all our jobs" is another complaint. This argument reminds me very much of the anti-EU argument in 1972, when the anti-marketeers said that Denmark would be invaded by a lot of people from Sicily, if we became a member. I haven't seen any yet! But more seriously: The day Turkey is ready to become a member it has developed so much, also economically, that there will without doubt be lots of work for them at home. And all people prefer to stay at home if possible. And by the way: all statistics show that Europe in 5-10 years time will lack millions of employees on its labour market. So the situation by then will definately be very different from the one we have today. So please don't confuse the situation then with today.
"But by accepting the Turks in the EU we will make Europe a Muslim continent" is a third anti-argument. No - absolutely not. First of all, EU and religion has nothing to do with each other. That's also why the word Christianity was not mentioned in the final draft Constitution - despite the debate. Secondly, we already have a lot of Muslims in the present EU. Often at our own invitation years back. This has not made us Islamic. And thirdly, also in Turkey there is (since 1923) a sharp distinction between the state and religion. This has been followed by all Turkish governments. Why shouldn't they also follow this policy inside the EU.
These three arguments and many more are perhaps even the least important ones. My view is that it is MUCH more significant that the EU by going ahead with negotiations and at the same time going ahead with the permanent push for the necessary changes in the Turkish society ensures two crucial things:
1) that Turkey will continue on the "European road" - following and practicing European values and European policies
2) that Turkey in that way will be a very important, democratic and stable country in an unstable part of the world. Influencing its big and small neighbours to the south and to the east in a positive and European way.
If we push Turkey away from us it will be bad for Turkey. But it will be even worse for Europe!
But as always in political discussions a range of misunderstandings and a dramatic ignorance play a key role in the ongoing debate.
"But Turkey must fullfil ALL the conditions", say many with a sceptical mind. Yes, of course, is the answer. This is an unconditional condition - like in all negotiations on membership. It is Turkey which applies for membership. Not the EU which applies for membership in Turkey. Therefore, she has to fulfill all conditions. Everybody knows that this will take years - but everybody with just some knowledge of the facts also knows that Turkey has made a LOT of progress over the last few years.
"The Turks will come and take all our jobs" is another complaint. This argument reminds me very much of the anti-EU argument in 1972, when the anti-marketeers said that Denmark would be invaded by a lot of people from Sicily, if we became a member. I haven't seen any yet! But more seriously: The day Turkey is ready to become a member it has developed so much, also economically, that there will without doubt be lots of work for them at home. And all people prefer to stay at home if possible. And by the way: all statistics show that Europe in 5-10 years time will lack millions of employees on its labour market. So the situation by then will definately be very different from the one we have today. So please don't confuse the situation then with today.
"But by accepting the Turks in the EU we will make Europe a Muslim continent" is a third anti-argument. No - absolutely not. First of all, EU and religion has nothing to do with each other. That's also why the word Christianity was not mentioned in the final draft Constitution - despite the debate. Secondly, we already have a lot of Muslims in the present EU. Often at our own invitation years back. This has not made us Islamic. And thirdly, also in Turkey there is (since 1923) a sharp distinction between the state and religion. This has been followed by all Turkish governments. Why shouldn't they also follow this policy inside the EU.
These three arguments and many more are perhaps even the least important ones. My view is that it is MUCH more significant that the EU by going ahead with negotiations and at the same time going ahead with the permanent push for the necessary changes in the Turkish society ensures two crucial things:
1) that Turkey will continue on the "European road" - following and practicing European values and European policies
2) that Turkey in that way will be a very important, democratic and stable country in an unstable part of the world. Influencing its big and small neighbours to the south and to the east in a positive and European way.
If we push Turkey away from us it will be bad for Turkey. But it will be even worse for Europe!
posted by Niels Jorgen Thøgersen at 10:54 am
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