Turkey into the EU

If we reject Ankara, the reform process would come to a halt. Would you take this risk?’ Meanwhile, the Italian delegate said, ‘How can the EU be a true global actor without Turkey?’ Now Europe understands that it must play an influential role in world politics. How influential could Europe be in the Caucasus and Middle East without Turkey? What’s more, the EU wants to respond to the Islamic world’s ire at the US by producing new political values. An EU with a Turkey would send a momentous message about the meeting of civilizations. Six years ago the EU even wouldn’t even accept Turkey as a candidate country, but now it’s discussing our full membership. Some 3,000 journalists, including 300 Turks, have been covering Turkey in important newspapers and TV broadcasts in Europe. Every word between Ankara and Brussels is being discussed.

While I was writing this article, Brussels was waiting for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Even as you read this, Turkey’s headquarters will be up and running in Brussels’ Conrad Hotel, where Erdogan will stay. Probably French President Jacque Chirac will stay there as well and they will meet. Considering the atmosphere in Brussels, Turkey seems to have a date for membership talks almost in hand. Don’t expect any nasty shocks. The world has opened up Turkey’s path, but of course there are some problems because the EU is on the verge of making the most critical decision of its history. Making Turkey an EU member is one of the toughest issues Europe has faced since World War II, but the current atmosphere is very positive. ”