NOW OR PROBABLY NEVER

Turkey and Europe have been neighbors since 1071, which was when the first step that the Turkish people took via the Anatolia Malazgirt war to the European history stage occurred. They have, together, survived two era changes, two world wars, a renaissance, many reforms, the French revolution and so much. However, their relationship has not been cordial, since The Istanbul or Constantinople, invasion, the two sides have been in an endless conflict. Though they have been next to each other as nearly 1000 years, they still have not learned to compromise and live together.
If one scrutinizes Europe’s dramatic change since the invasion of Istanbul, one will mainly see some key points that have changed history. Europe in the 1000s was in the dark ages as the scholastic ideology of the church hung like a black cloud over Europe preventing it from the illumination it craved desperately; fortunately with the renaissance and reform movements, it was able to see the sun behind the clouds again. Free thinking, art and science nearly skyrocketed through Europe. Moreover, though European countries fought each other several times they were able to stand as a group, with the exception of WWI and WWII, thus the creation of a European Union was a logical step that verbalized the relationship amongst European countries.
On the other hand, although Turkey’s heydays have passed, a strong Turkey has been formed. Until WWI, Turkey, or the Ottoman Empire at that time, ruled Eastern Europe with Russia. It would even be justifiable to say that it was the super power in1500s in the world. However, after the resolution of the Ottoman Empire during WWI and the appearance of a great leader M. K. Ataturk, Turkey is much more different than the way it was and closer to Europe.
In my opinion, now is the right time for both sides to take their relationship, to the next level, as their fates inevitably have been knitted together. Neglecting Turkey’s demands to be a member of the EU, will cost the EU a powerful ally in the region. Both sides should accept their differences and try to live together peacefully. However, if the EU continues its attitude toward Turkey, an important turning point will be missed and their relationship will be severely harmed.
Politics are nowadays the strongest weapon a country could have, even more powerful than military ammunition. A strong Turkey, as it is now, will improve the EU’s political power especially over Muslim countries as they see the EU as a Christian Union that discriminates against Muslim countries and the Muslim world. And having Turkey as a member will inevitably increase the reputation of the EU in the world too, as Turkey is a strong ally of the USA and respected country especially by the newly formed Arab countries in the Middle East.
On the other hand, European countries are concerned because Turkey’s crowded population will become the second major party in the European parliament. However, being concerned about this fact is being concerned about democracy itself and why be afraid of democracy? Although it violates the democracy a change in the representative system of EU could solve the problem if the EU does not want Turkey to have many representatives, with amendments to the constitution every country could have an equal number of delegates in the parliament.
One of the stipulations of strong politics is a strong and stable economy. With the EU‘s unstable Euro region and aging population, its economics are in a line of collapse. Furthermore, its manufacturing power of goods is decreasing day by day. On the other hand, with its young generation and stable and growing economy, Turkey could be a cure to the ill economies of Europe. Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal are nearly going bankrupt. They need new markets to sell their goods or their citizens are looking for jobs: Turkey could be a the new market for these countries and for the rest of the EU as well.
Additionally, some European countries are afraid that an invasion will start when the free travel rights are given to the Turkish member citizens, young generations of Turks will flow into the borders of Europe and get all the jobs. It is undeniable to say that there will be no migration from Turkey to Europe but not all the Turkish people will come and inhabit Europe. The French had the same concerns about Poland, which was called the Plumber effect; however, statistics now show that there was no great migration from Poland to other European countries at extreme levels.
Though politics and economics play important roles, we have to consider the social aspect of the EU-Turkey relationship as well. EU with its dynamic, now seemed to be a Christian Union however, readily there are twelve million Muslim Europeans living in the borders of the EU. Some Europeans are afraid of its different life style and ideology, Turkey could have a negative impact on Europe’s culture, however, a different worldview from one’s own is not a daunting image rather a blessing that should be welcomed with appreciation.
None can deny that human rights conditions in Turkey do not meet the standards of Europe, however; we have to admit that there is constant improvement with new legislations. Rather than reprimanding Turks, we should see the full half of the glass and encourage them for their efforts.
Unfortunately, relationships of every member of EU and Turkey are not very friendly especially with Cyprus and Greece. Greece and Turkey have been fighting each other for nearly 1000 years so we could not expect them to solve their problems in a day. However with recent progress in the Cyprus situation, and exemplary manners of both governments in the 1999 earthquakes, in Istanbul first then in Athens, we could easily say that there is still hope. But increasing communication between two countries especially under the roof of the EU, we would take the biggest step to solution by starting negotiations again.
However, each side has ideals that they are not going to compromise; on the Turkish side this is Ataturk. If the EU keeps asking Turks to remove Ataturk’s portraits from government buildings, schools, hospitals for any reason, Turks will not compromise as M.K. Ataturk is literally the father of the modern Turkey and a great man to be inspired by. Unfortunately, though the EU could have good intentions, Turks are really concerned and the solution of this problem is for the EU parliament to understand what Ataturk symbolizes for the Turkish nation.
To sum up, Turkey has been waiting on the front doorstep of the EU for more than 50 years though it may seem a little time period over their history, Turkish people’s patience seems to have little left and the EU is in great need of a help maybe it is the best time to take their relationship to the next level or the EU is going to lose a precious ally.
Mert Urkmez