Turkey’s historic journey

from The World In 2006 print edition

The prospect of Turkey’s membership of the European Union has been one of the most debated subjects in Europe in 2005. This is understandable, given the far-reaching ramifications of Turkish membership, which go well beyond the bilateral and regional confines of the issue. What lies ahead, in 2006 and beyond? In order to make a credible assessment of what awaits us, it might be useful first to take a quick look back in time, so that Turkey’s achievements and potential can be put into proper perspective.

Since its foundation, the Republic of Turkey has always sought to become a constructive and responsible member of the international community, working to promote an environment of peace and prosperity. To this end, beyond forging institutional links with the West, including its membership of the Council of Europe, NATO and the OECD, Turkey has aimed, since the late 1950s, also to become part of the grander European vision that is now embodied in the EU.

Consequently, Turkey became an associate member of the European Economic Community (as the EU was then called) in 1963, with the mutually agreed objective of eventual full membership. And since 1996 Turkey has been in a customs union with the EU, an arrangement that no other candidate country had prior to membership.

What Turkey promises to deliver is all too important for the EU to forgo, especially in view of the global role the European Union sees for itself in the 21st century

In this time we mobilised significant political, economic and social resources in order to meet the democratic aspirations of the Turkish people, and our EU perspective has certainly added strength to this process. For example, in 1999, when European leaders officially reconfirmed Turkey’s status as a candidate country destined to become a full member of the Union, Turkey further expedited its reform process in order to fulfil the criteria needed to start the accession negotiations.

As a result, in recognition of Turkey’s success with reforms, the EU started accession negotiations with Turkey in October 2005. We are now in the process of preparing Turkey, and the EU for that matter, for the final steps towards membership. And there is no doubt that, during the rather long journey ahead, the successful conclusion of this process will necessitate even more efforts on both sides.

For its part, Turkey is determined to advance along the path of modernisation and reform. This is because attaining the highest political, economic and social standards remains the overriding national objective of the Turkish people. Indeed, the extraordinary scope and pace of reforms, especially in the past few years, which have put Turkey on an irreversible track of progress, could not have been possible without the overwhelming support of the Turkish public.

Now it is of great importance for the EU also to act in line with its commitments, to demonstrate solidarity with Turkey and to exert all the necessary efforts to sustain and advance the accession process on its own merits. Given the potential that Turkey’s EU membership holds for both sides—and the world in general—our relationship deserves no less.

A bridge to the wider world

Indeed, what Turkey promises to deliver is all too important for the EU to forgo, especially in view of the global role the European Union sees for itself in the 21st century. Turkey’s membership will add substance to Europe’s own vision of unity in diversity, giving the Union greater reach and making it easier for it to act as an effective player in world affairs. The significance of Turkey as a facilitator for bringing together cultures and civilisations—helping to spread universal values to a broader geography—is now more widely recognised, particularly after the attacks on America of September 11th 2001 and other terrorist acts that continue to threaten us all.

Turkey’s membership of the EU will certainly amplify the role my country plays in bridging different regions and cultures. Our membership will demonstrate to the world at large that a civilisational fault-line exists not among religions or cultures but between democracy, modernity and reformism on the one side and totalitarianism, radicalism and lethargy on the other. In this context, it is most revealing to see the interest shown by the Muslim world, both at the intellectual and the popular level, in Turkey’s reform process and its progress towards EU membership.

The demographic and economic outlook for Turkey also points to an advantage for the EU, by the time Turkey is expected to accede. The EU faces the prospect of a rapidly ageing population in the years to come, which will represent a significant challenge for the European economy. Turkey can help. One of the most striking features of our economic potential is the high rate of growth that Turkey has achieved and the fact that we expect our growth will continue to lie above the OECD average well into the next decade. Looking to the future, the accession talks and eventual EU membership present us with ample opportunity to harness this potential in a mutually beneficial way, through more investments, trade and co-operation.

In light of all this, it is clear that we have in our hands a truly common agenda to guide us in the years to come. Now it is incumbent upon us all to remain true to its promise. After all, those who help Turkey and the European Union progress along this journey will have the proud distinction of having contributed to what is surely history in the making.

from The World In 2006 print edition

via Europe: Turkey’s historic journey | The Economist.