Turkey’s European adventure

The book was first published in 1978 as "A Sunday Story." After Turkey was declared a candidate for full membership at the 1999 Helsinki summit, we updated it and released it in 2000 as "Turkey’s European Adventure."

This time I added all the dramatic developments and the bargaining that took place between 2000 and 2004. The decision made at the Brussels summit at the end of the year will signify the end of a very long process.

On Dec. 17 either the negotiations won’t start and this process will end, or the negotiations will start and a brand-new process will begin.

This process and this book cover most of my life. I can say that we grew up together. I can almost say that I am upset because it is about to end.
Let’s not be unfair to politicians

I read the book from start to finish over the weekend. I would like to share with you an important assessment of mine.

I think we are not aware how committed politicians were in developing our relations with the European Union. Ever since the time of Prime Minister Adnan Menderes and Foreign Minister Fatin Rustu Zorlu, all politicians and leaders have made the EU their point of focus.

Most of our politicians have been attached to Europe with a passion, and despite all the obstacles set their objectives accordingly. Some tried very hard, others a little less so. While today Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul appear to champion the efforts, no one should treat the politicians of the past unfairly. If you add it all up, it appears that all of them played a part in this process.

Menderes laid the first stones of the foundation.

Later, former President and Prime Minister Ismet Inonu poured in the cement by signing the Ankara Treaty, which established relations.

Former President and Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel continued the process in broadening the Ankara Treaty and signed the Joint Protocol that led to customs union.

While former Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit halted the process in 1978 during a serious financial crisis, he, by approving the 1999 Helsinki summit, realized this most important move forward.

Former Prime Minister Tansu Ciller, together with Social Democrat People’s Party (SHP) leader Bulent Karayalcin worked very hard and overcame all obstacles to finalize the customs union in 1995.

Former Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, despite his initial outbursts about how the EU was a Christian club, became one of its most ardent supporters.

Former Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz led the EU efforts for years despite all the problems.

Former Deputy Prime Minister and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, despite his party’s history and its grassroots backlash, did not prevent the passing of the harmonization reforms, including one that reversed terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK/Kongra-gel) leader Abdullah Ocalan’s death sentence, setting an example as a statesman.

Former Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, in the worst times of the coalition government, worked tirelessly to keep the relations with the EU strong.

The Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal — despite being in the opposition and criticizing what went on very harshly at times — never presented an obstacle when the time came to pass harmonization laws and, on the contrary, quietly supported them.

It appears that our politicians realized years ago that they didn’t have any other option but to bring Turkey closer to Europe. Their attitudes and policies bear out this fact.
Military criticized, but never objected

The strange thing is that during my research, the attitude of the military was not as black and white as it appeared from the outside.

Can you just imagine, the Sept. 12 military government, as ordered by Chief of Staff and later President Kenan Evren, took the first steps in applying to the EU for membership in 1983, to be submitted after the elections.

Today, we interpret some of the statements made by military commanders as meaning, "They want us to remain outside of Europe." That is plainly wrong. The Turkish Armed Forces know, especially after the latest Iraq crisis, that Turkey’s long-term future lies in Europe. Their fears are based on the belief that the Copenhagen reforms are being implemented too quickly and that this will prevent them from protecting the country’s territorial integrity and fighting against Islamic fundamentalism.

In short, we fail to give credit where credit is due in our hectic daily lives.