IF THE EU DIDN’T EXIST…

It’s a fact that our aim of EU membership and reaching European standards has been the main motivation for our reforms. Those who want to maintain the status quo and consider integration with the EU risky might view the role played by the EU factor as an imposition. For example, let’s consider the recent decision to release four former Democracy Party (DEP) deputies. There might not be a direct link between the independent judiciary’s ruling and the EU’s requests. However, it’s also clear that the EU factor caused a radical change of mentality in various public institutions as well as society. Now Turkey is mature enough to implement these decisions and policies by itself.

Actually modernization through reforms is not a new aim for Turkey. This trend dates back to the Tanzimat Period [in the 1840s] and continued with reforms in the republican era. In other words, the process started long ago. While many other countries in the region, particularly those in the Islamic world, were just bystanders to the spectacle of modernization, Turkey had the chance to make openings in this direction owing to its geography, history and culture. For example, Turkey’s desire to be included in the United Nations accelerated its transition to a multiparty system. Being a member of such international organizations as the Council of Europe has helped Turkey to boost its political and social standards. Finally, the meaning and vision of being a European Union member has become a strategic goal, and our EU motivation became an opportunity for Turkey to advance rapidly to modernization. Most other countries in the region don’t have this privilege. It’s well-known that countries in the broader region extending from Morocco to Afghanistan don’t want these modernization and democratization drives imposed on them. In truth, democracy isn’t a product to be ’exported’ to the region. First of all, these nations and their leaders must be determined to effect change.”