Turkey & Europe

 

Turkey & Europe

Newsflash describes the between Turkey's troubled relationship with the European Union looks set to become even more difficult in 2007. Having taken the unprecedented decision in December 2006 to partially freeze Ankara's membership negotiations, EU governments remain deeply divided not only on Turkey's 40 years old bid to join the EU but also on the wider issue of the bloc's future expansion, most particularly into the western Balkans.

        While the focus is currently on the EU’s decision to suspend eight out of 35 negotiating areas in Turkey's accession talks - triggered by Ankara's refusal to establish transport links with EU member Cyprus - many more difficult hurdles lie ahead as Ankara continues its four decades-long drive to join the soon-to-be 27 nation EU. As such, Turkish leaders - including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has called the EU move an "injustice" against Turkey- should brace themselves for even tougher times ahead in their quest for ties with Europe.

The current hitch in EU-Turkey relations hinges on the country's refusal to recognize the Republic of Cyprus which entered the EU as a divided island in 2004. The EU is especially adamant that Ankara's ban on Greek Cypriot traffic contravenes its customs union pact with the Union which calls for free transport links between Turkey and all EU states. Ankara has argued that it will open up its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot craft only once the EU keeps its promise of ending the economic isolation of northern Turkish Cyprus.

While the problem Over Cyprus is an important one, few in Brussels have any illusions that even if the island is reunited one day, the long-haul effort required to admit Turkey into the Union will remain a major strategic challenge for both sides. "With regards to EU relations with Turkey, we don't anticipate that things should go without a hitch," says an EU ambassador Put simply to allow Turkey to join their club, Europeans will have to overcome an overriding fear of admitting a mainly Muslim nation into the Union. Turkey in turn will have to prove repeatedly that it is adopting – and adapting to - European values, policies and actions to meet the bloc's stringent entry standards.

The year ahead - exchanges with Turkey could endure as long as 15 years - are subsequently going to be a troublesome test for the two sides. EU Policymakers contend that in spite of shock in Ankara over the fractional suspension of section exchanges, Europe's message to Turkey isn't pretty much as negative as it shows up. The EU was under solid tension from a few states — including Cyprus, Greece, France, Austria and the Netherlands — to take a lot harder position by placing the whole enrollment measure aside momentarily. All things being equal, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja figured out how to work out a surprisingly good arrangement which joins the two incentives.

Right now, thusly, while talks are waiting in regions like exchange, transport, outer relations and horticulture, Cyprus has at long last made a deal to avoid rejecting the beginning of dealings in other key sections including society, industry and monetary arrangement. In one more key admission to Ankara, the EU has promised to carry out a so-far unfulfilled vow to open direct guide and exchange contacts with the northern Turkish piece of Cyprus, which isn't perceived universally.

In more maneuver to console Turkey, Finland, as the current EU administration given a different assertion of help for United Nations endeavors to track down a complete answer for the reunification of Cyprus. The EU didn't set any cutoff times or ultimatums for Turkey to open its ports and air terminals to Greek Cypriot traffic. The EU will, however, find it difficult to follow up the soothing words with real action. Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel has said he does not expect Turkey to accede to the EU and the implementation of many of the EU promises depends on Cypriot goodwill.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Yiorgos Lillikas has effectively indicated, in any case, that he might in any case reject progress in the dealings. Significantly also France has vowed to hold a public referendum on Turkish membership. Since EU decisions on enlargement require unanimity, Ankara's membership of the Union could be blocked by a few hundred anxious French voters.

 Those decisions are many years ahead, however for the moment; EU policymakers insist that rules must be complied with. As such they underline that they are treating Turkey no less harshly than any other candidate country. Also many countries are adamant that Turkey cannot be given special treatment, no EU country currently questions Ankara's right to join the bloc once it meets entry criteria.

While Cyprus, Austria, France and the Netherlands are fervently opposed to Turkish accession, the position of Germany and Greece is not very clear. The coalition government in Berlin is split over the issue, with Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Christian Democrats preferring to offer Turkey a "privileged partnership" while the Social Democrats, represented by Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, favour Turkish membership.

Greece, meanwhile, has overcome its traditional animosity towards Turkey and is now formally in favour of Ankara's accession to the EU. But the formal stance is often belied in reality and Anthens often ends up siding with Cyprus in Internal EU discussions on the subject.

Britain, Spain, Sweden and Italy as well as EU newcomers Poland and Estonia, however, have long backed Turkish membership. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, a staunch advocate of Turkey's EU bid, flew to Ankara after an EU summit in Brussels mid-December to reassure Turkish leaders of his country's determination to campaign in favour of Turkey within the EU.

Turkey is not the only country affected by the EU' s new get-tough attitude. The summit in Brussels decided there would no moves to bring in new members before the ratification and entry into force of a new EU constitution. Since there is disarray over the fate of the treaty — which was rejected by French and Dutch voters last year — and no firm date on when it can be implemented, this puts of any further EU enlargements.

This will impact not only on Turkey and Croatia but also on Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania and possibly Kosovo which are waiting in line to join. It is also a setback for the EU aspirations of Georgia and Ukraine.

Turkey & Europe