{"id":25000,"date":"2010-11-08T06:59:06","date_gmt":"2010-11-08T04:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.turkishforum.com.tr\/en\/content\/?p=25000"},"modified":"2023-04-08T13:58:53","modified_gmt":"2023-04-08T10:58:53","slug":"friends-of-turkey-group-visits-usak-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/2010\/11\/08\/friends-of-turkey-group-visits-usak-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Friends of Turkey Group Visits USAK House"},"content":{"rendered":"

International Strategic Research Organization (USAK) hosted a meeting with key European Parliament members concerning the recent developments and deadlocked relations between Turkey and European Union on 3rd of November 2010.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The conference titled \u201cFuture of Turkish-EU Relations\u201d<\/strong> provided a unique opportunity for the speakers and participants to discuss the problems and trajectories in Turkey-EU relations. Turkish and European experts in their fields as well as the policy makers attended to the conference. The purpose of the conference was to provide overview and possible recommendation concerning Turkey- EU relations. USAK hosted the members of \u201cFriends of Turkey Group\u201d namely, \u00a0Andrew Duff<\/strong> (President of the European Federalists, UK), Alexandra Thein <\/strong>(Germany), Anneli Jaateenmaki <\/strong>(Former Minister of Finland), Metin Kazak<\/strong> (Bulgaria), Marietje Schaake<\/strong> (Netherlands), Jelko Kacin<\/strong> (Former Minister of Defence of Slovenia), Diane Wallis<\/strong> (Vice President of European Parliament, UK), Anne Maria Corraza- Bildt<\/strong> (Sweden), Birgit Schnieber Jastram<\/strong> (Germany), Jo Leinen<\/strong> (Chairperson of Environment Committee,Germany), Jutta Steinruck<\/strong> (Germany); under the chairmanship of the Guner \u00d6zkan<\/strong>, the chair of Center of Eurasia Studies, and Alosz Peterle<\/strong>, Member of European Parliament, President of the Friends of Turkey group <\/strong>and former Prime Minister of Slovenia.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The conference began with two comprehensive presentations which addressed the Turkey-EU relations by USAK experts; Mustafa Kutlay and Ceren Mutus.<\/p>\n

Mustafa Kutlay in his presentation, focused on three pillars of EU-Turkey Relations. Kutlay focused on the changing dynamics of Turkey\u2019s EU journey, future of Turkey- EU Relations and the discussion about the whether Turkey drifting away from the EU.<\/p>\n

Regarding the dynamics of Turkey- EU Relations, Kutlay stated that \u201cfree market economy and economic development\u201d together with \u201cinstitutionalization of democracy and development of human Rights\u201d are the two main objectives for Turkey. Furthermore he also touched upon two other pillars \u201cstability in foreign policy in instable regions\u201d and \u201cmodernization within the context of Westernization.\u201d However, according to him, the last two pillars are not priorities for Turkey at the existing conjuncture.<\/p>\n

Ceren Mutus who is an expert on European Studies in USAK, briefly mentioned about the political reforms initiated between 2001 and 2004 and concluded her speech by shedding light on the legal and technical content of the recent constitutional package.<\/p>\n

She claimed that the sweeping reforms that have been undertaken by Turkey between 1999 and 2004 were mainly due to the concrete commitment made by the EU towards Turkey\u2019s membership. Turkey, with the aim of fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and become eligible for the formal negotiations, pushed forward ambitious reform packages. In this context, death penalty was removed from the Turkish Constitution, the legal protection of socio-cultural rights of Turkish citizens irrespective of their ethnic and religious origin has been improved, the role of the military in Turkish political life has been significantly diminished, the freedom of expression has been enhanced and recently a comprehensive judicial reform promoting the well- functioning of the justice system was adopted.<\/p>\n

After the presentations, Alojz Peterle takes attention to the difference between the planning and preparation from implementation. \u00a0He emphasized that at the beginning of the process, there was romantic atmosphere. However Turkey\u2019s membership is different and more difficult than the other candidate countries. Moreover he believes that, both sides done much of things such as reforms and values over the last decade. Furthermore, he marked that EU should show its interest and prove the support of Turkey\u2019s membership during the process.<\/p>\n

Former Finland Prime Minister, Anneli Jaateenmaki contributed to the discussion by highlighting the fact that there is a long list of reforms, but it is difficult to implement. Even it seems good and efficient; the implementation is not strong.<\/p>\n

President of the European Federalists, Andrew Duff<\/strong> emphasized that Turkey\u2019s military is so big and corrupted. It also failed to defeat PKK. \u00a0He also raised the questions as follows: \u00a0\u201cWhy Turkey is so tolerant to this big army and its activities. \u00a0\u201cIf Turkey\u2019s PM and President order army forces to withdraw from Cyprus, would they obey?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Anna Maria pointed out her disappointment about the negative attitude toward the closed chapters which was shown by experts. \u00a0She continued attracting attention to the different perspectives of the parties. For instance, according to her some people, of course, scared about Turkey\u2019s membership because of the recession the process of secularization and Kurdish Issue.<\/p>\n

USAK Expert, Prof. Ihsan Bal, respond the comments by stating that, \u201cTurkish public mind is changing about the implementation of the reforms. Western political reforms and values will be implemented because there is a public demanding and politicians try to respond positively to these demands. \u00a0To be honest, reforms are implemented more strictly and effectively when we compare it with 10 years before.\u201d<\/p>\n

He gave some interesting samples during his speech. For instance, he believes that \u201cIf military coups occur citizens will protest unlike 1980\u2019s. Of course, some of the people want coups and military actions. We can label them as \u201cultra-nationalist\u201d groups but they are a small minority group. In that respect democratic initiative towards Kurds got support and military is silent because of the huge majority support backing the project.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Kurdish issue, he argues that it is a combination of economy and security. He mentions that the terms of numbers of killed-terrorists shows the military success but it is not the solution way. Of course democratic governments use military tools in order to solve the problem, like Britain, but it is just part of the issue. In other words, governments not take the military decision solely. \u00a0They should use civil agents, such as police force and intelligence services take more roles in the region at the problem.<\/p>\n

He emphasized the importance of the USAK report in 2005 which triggered the reform in military institution. \u201cArmy takes some steps and become more professional. It reduces the number of compulsory service man. But reforms need time, can be effective in long term. \u00a0To be realistic the change over one night is impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bal take attention to Cyprus issue as well. He underlines that there is not only one way to solve the issues. Turkish military presence is not the sole reason for the problem. Both sides should make some other progress and take actions. \u00a0Moreover, Turkish Cypriots isolated and it is not fair while other side is recognized as EU member and enjoys benefits of the membership. In other words; we say \u201cyes\u201d to referendum but, get no benefit. Cyprus issue should take consider as package not as a chapter.<\/p>\n

G\u00fcner \u00d6zkan closed the conference by admitting Turkey\u2019s active policy in the last decade. \u00a0He believes that those active policies are not aiming to replace EU, Turkey just diverse its options. He clearly pointed that; there will be no alternative to EU for Turkey. More importantly, he said the other alternatives are not comparable to the EU. In the ten year period, we hope to have more deep economic and political relations with EU.<\/p>\n

By Firat G\u00fczeldag and Kasim Ileri (JTW)<\/p>\n

Journal of Turkish Weekly,\u00a03 November 2010<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
International Strategic Research Organization (USAK) hosted a meeting with key European Parliament members concerning the recent developments and deadlocked relations between Turkey and European Union on 3rd of November 2010. The conference titled \u201cFuture of Turkish-EU Relations\u201d provided a unique opportunity for the speakers and participants to discuss the problems and trajectories in Turkey-EU relations. Turkish and European experts in their fields as well as the policy makers attended to the conference. The purpose of the conference was to provide overview and possible recommendation concerning Turkey- EU relations. USAK hosted the members of \u201cFriends of Turkey Group\u201d namely,\u00a0 Andrew Duff (President of the European Federalists, UK), Alexandra Thein (Germany), Anneli Jaateenmaki (Former Minister of Finland), Metin Kazak(Bulgaria), Marietje Schaake (Netherlands), Jelko Kacin (Former Minister of Defence of Slovenia), Diane Wallis (Vice President of European Parliament, UK), Anne Maria Corraza- Bildt (Sweden), Birgit Schnieber Jastram (Germany),\u00a0Jo Leinen (Chairperson of Environment Committee,Germany), Jutta Steinruck (Germany); under the chairmanship of the Guner \u00d6zkan, the chair of Center of Eurasia Studies, and Alosz Peterle, Member of European Parliament, President of the Friends of Turkey group and former Prime Minister of Slovenia.<\/p>\n

The conference began with two comprehensive presentations which addressed the Turkey-EU relations by USAK experts; Mustafa Kutlay and Ceren Mutus.<\/p>\n

Mustafa Kutlay in his presentation, focused on three pillars of EU-Turkey Relations. Kutlay focused on the changing dynamics of Turkey\u2019s EU journey, future of Turkey- EU Relations and the discussion about the whether Turkey drifting away from the EU.<\/p>\n

Regarding the dynamics of Turkey- EU Relations, Kutlay stated that \u201cfree market economy and economic development\u201d together with \u201cinstitutionalization of democracy and development of human Rights\u201d are the two main objectives for Turkey. Furthermore he also touched upon two other pillars \u201cstability in foreign policy in instable regions\u201d and \u201cmodernization within the context of Westernization.\u201d However, according to him, the last two pillars are not priorities for Turkey at the existing conjuncture.<\/p>\n

Ceren Mutus who is an expert on European Studies in USAK, briefly mentioned about the political reforms initiated between 2001 and 2004 and concluded her speech by shedding light on the legal and technical content of the recent constitutional package.<\/p>\n

She claimed that the sweeping reforms that have been undertaken by Turkey between 1999 and 2004 were mainly due to the concrete commitment made by the EU towards Turkey\u2019s membership. Turkey, with the aim of fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria and become eligible for the formal negotiations, pushed forward ambitious reform packages. In this context, death penalty was removed from the Turkish Constitution, the legal protection of socio-cultural rights of Turkish citizens irrespective of their ethnic and religious origin has been improved, the role of the military in Turkish political life has been significantly diminished, the freedom of expression has been enhanced and recently a comprehensive judicial reform promoting the well- functioning of the justice system was adopted.<\/p>\n

After the presentations, Alojz Peterle takes attention to the difference between the planning and preparation from implementation.\u00a0 He emphasized that at the beginning of the process, there was romantic atmosphere. However Turkey\u2019s membership is different and more difficult than the other candidate countries. Moreover he believes that, both sides done much of things such as reforms and values over the last decade. Furthermore, he marked that EU should show its interest and prove the support of Turkey\u2019s membership during the process.<\/p>\n

Former Finland Prime Minister, Anneli Jaateenmaki contributed to the discussion by highlighting the fact that there is a long list of reforms, but it is difficult to implement. Even it seems good and efficient; the implementation is not strong.
\nPresident of the European Federalists, Andrew Duff emphasized that Turkey\u2019s military is so big and corrupted. It also failed to defeat PKK.\u00a0 He also raised the questions as follows:\u00a0 \u201cWhy Turkey is so tolerant to this big army and its activities.\u00a0 \u201cIf Turkey\u2019s PM and President order army forces to withdraw from Cyprus, would they obey?\u201d<\/p>\n

Anna Maria pointed out her disappointment about the negative attitude toward the closed chapters which was shown by experts.\u00a0 She continued attracting attention to the different perspectives of the parties. For instance, according to her some people, of course, scared about Turkey\u2019s membership because of the recession the process of secularization and Kurdish Issue.<\/p>\n

USAK Expert, Prof. Ihsan Bal, respond the comments by stating that, \u201cTurkish public mind is changing about the implementation of the reforms. Western political reforms and values will be implemented because there is a public demanding and politicians try to respond positively to these demands.\u00a0 To be honest, reforms are implemented more strictly and effectively when we compare it with 10 years before.\u201d<\/p>\n

He gave some interesting samples during his speech. For instance, he believes that \u201cIf military coups occur citizens will protest unlike 1980\u2019s. Of course, some of the people want coups and military actions. We can label them as \u201cultra-nationalist\u201d groups but they are a small minority group. In that respect democratic initiative towards Kurds got support and military is silent because of the huge majority support backing the project.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Kurdish issue, he argues that it is a combination of economy and security. He mentions that the terms of numbers of killed-terrorists shows the military success but it is not the solution way. Of course democratic governments use military tools in order to solve the problem, like Britain, but it is just part of the issue. In other words, governments not take the military decision solely.\u00a0 They should use civil agents, such as police force and intelligence services take more roles in the region at the problem.<\/p>\n

He emphasized the importance of the USAK report in 2005 which triggered the reform in military institution. \u201cArmy takes some steps and become more professional. It reduces the number of compulsory service man. But reforms need time, can be effective in long term.\u00a0 To be realistic the change over one night is impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bal take attention to Cyprus issue as well. He underlines that there is not only one way to solve the issues. Turkish military presence is not the sole reason for the problem. Both sides should make some other progress and take actions.\u00a0 Moreover, Turkish Cypriots isolated and it is not fair while other side is recognized as EU member and enjoys benefits of the membership. In other words; we say \u201cyes\u201d to referendum but, get no benefit. Cyprus issue should take consider as package not as a chapter.<\/p>\n

G\u00fcner \u00d6zkan closed the conference by admitting Turkey\u2019s active policy in the last decade.\u00a0 He believes that those active policies are not aiming to replace EU, Turkey just diverse its options. He clearly pointed that; there will be no alternative to EU for Turkey. More importantly, he said the other alternatives are not comparable to the EU. In the ten year period, we hope to have more deep economic and political relations with EU.<\/p>\n

By Firat G\u00fczeldag and Kasim Ileri (JTW)
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n


\nWednesday, 3 November 2010<\/p>\n

Journal of Turkish Weekly<\/span><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

International Strategic Research Organization (USAK) hosted a meeting with key European Parliament members concerning the recent developments and deadlocked relations between Turkey and European Union on 3rd of November 2010. The conference titled \u201cFuture of Turkish-EU Relations\u201d provided a unique opportunity for the speakers and participants to discuss the problems and trajectories in Turkey-EU relations. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":28988,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[211,21],"tags":[4182,985,1092,4180,7925],"class_list":["post-25000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cyprus-trnc","category-eu-members","tag-friends-of-turkey","tag-eu","tag-friends-of-turkey-group","tag-international-strategic-research-organization","tag-turkey-eu"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25000","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25000"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25000\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28988"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25000"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25000"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}