A FEW QUESTIONS FROM THE EU

1) Are Turks European?

All the attendees agreed that Europeans believe the answer to be an emphatic no, as their familiarity is limited to Turks who migrate to the continent from Anatolia’s small towns and villages. Unfortunately, they aren’t aware that most Turks are much more modern and European than these emigres. Our European friends underlined that Ankara must put forth more efforts to promote its true face in Europe.

2) Will Turkey manage to put into practice the reform packages our Parliament successfully passed?

Everybody agrees that our Parliament was very successful in its recent approval of reform packages. However, they’re not sure whether Ankara has taken all necessary measures to resolve the Kurdish issue and to minimize the role of the military in civilian politics. Europeans believe that needed regulations to implement these reforms are still lacking, and so the old mentality of doing things persists in earnest.

3) Will the Cyprus issue be resolved?

Politicians in particular are remarking that if the Cyprus issue isn’t resolved until by next May, when the Greek Cypriots are to join the EU ranks, then Turkey should forget about getting a date for its membership negotiations in December 2004. They hope that opposition parties will win this December’s elections in Northern Cyprus, a development, they hope will lead to key changes on the island.

4) Does Europe need Turkey?

Certain politicians stated frankly that the decision the EU is set to make on Turkey in 2004 will indeed be a political one. If the 25 EU members agree then that Europe doesn’t need Turkey, Ankara will once again have to forget about its EU membership hopes.

In brief, our time is short, but our path remains too long!”