BY ASAF SAVAS AKAT
VATAN - Today, I'm continuing to evaluate the 50th anniversary of the EU. In my last two columns I wrote about the history and future of the EU from the perspective of a European federalist and I said positive things. Today it's the turn of relations between the EU and Turkey.
The Common Market was established in 1957. Soon after, Greece and Turkey started to seek a special relationship. The first agreement on Turkey's entry in to the Common Market was signed in 1963, which meant that Turkey would become the seventh or eighth member. In this respect, it is regrettable that Turkey didn't take part in the 50th anniversary of the EU. Greece, who started this journey with us, became a member 30 years ago, and it's unclear whether Turkey will become a member in the next 30 years.
Why did things happen this way? Who's responsible? In order to answer these questions, we must divide the last 40 years since 1963 in two periods. I will give you my conclusion beforehand: In the first period Turkey is responsible, but in the second the EU is.
Was the Customs Union really the goal? No. The aim was not to lose to Greece. "We will consider the economic dimension when necessary," thought the politicians of the time.
In the 1970s Turkey carried out a kind of inward industrialization. No preparations were made for the Customs Union.
Following the 1980 coup, our relations with the EU were suspended and the normalization process took nearly a decade. By that time Turkey had changed. It had opened its markets to foreign competition. In 1989 Turkey applied for membership again. From then on, the EU started to use stalling tactics. They said that Turkey's rights enshrined in the agreement were limited to the Customs Union.
Now, we face two interrelated questions: Will Turkey enter the EU? and Will the EU take us? The first question isn't so interesting, because it depends on our will. But I'd like to address the second one.
Turkey's membership will be a milestone in the future of the EU. The philosophical, political, social, economic future of the Union will be shaped around this decision.
EU citizens opposing Turkey's membership have two main angles: The first group is made up of people seeking a Christian Europe, and the others are people who want swift federalization. However, for the others who long for a `Europe of value,' Turkey should join the Union.
How will this struggle end? I'm optimistic. Because those who are against Turkey are far from the necessities of our age and they don't have enough power to block us.