December 13, 2012
Bilkent University,
Ankara
Stefano Fantaroni, First Counsellor, Political Officer, EU Delegation to
Turkey
The Talk:
1. What is European
Union?
> Unity
in diversity.
Diversity of cultures, opinions, languages. EU
is formed with values. I will not go deep into the institutional scheme. I will
talk about values. As you know, EU was awarded Nobel Peace Prize. Europe is the
diversity of opinions; it is cast upon a dream after the Second World War. A
new continent united in values like freedom, liberty, and rule of law are
indispensable in Europe. War was the instrument to found the peace. It has
promoted peace at home and across the borders. It exported peace as a united
continent, unified peace institution. Peace, democracy, human rights, rule of
law. This is what the EU is about. It is not only a political, but also a
social union.
> It is of course a political union, based
on shared values.
That is
why:
EU remains
a place of attraction across the world. Countries like Iceland, Western Balkan
countries and Turkey want to join the club. It is made of sovereign states,
ready to share their power. (27 > 28)
> EU is also an economic union:
First, it
was Coal and Steel Community, then Customs Union, then Single Market, largest
internal market in the world, larger than USA, or Russia. And finally Single
Currency: EURO.
It is still
progressing, evolving, and still changing, as it always did throughout history.
2. What are Turkey-EU
relations?
In the
press, the relations are focused on the negotiations, but it is much more than
that:
Economic
aspects:
The trade
between the two is well-balanced. EU is the largest foreign trade partner of
TR. More importantly, high-tech products are imported from EU to Turkey. This
is a major benefit for Turkey, which develops itself, exchange of mobile, which
makes TR richer. Benefits of customs union (Turkey included since 1995) cannot
be ignored. Nearly 50% of foreign investment in Turkey is owned by a European
firm, capital. There are approximately 15.000 European companies in Turkey,
hundreds of jobs, employment.
It also has
a direct support from EU. Last year, in 2011, funds of EU for Turkey were
around 6 billion €. These funds prepare Turkey for the accession. TR benefits
from EU at a large degree.
 |
| EU is important to Turkey |
Cultural aspects:
50.000
people, students, professionals, officers, scientists come to Europe, financed
by EU. EU and Turkey are linked to one another. 15 million tourists come from
EU to Turkey every year. They are partners, and the relations go beyond the
negotiations. EU cooperates with Turkey in the issues of foreign policy: Syria,
Russia, Caucasus, Afghanistan, Middle East...
This was to
say that TR is a strategic ally of EU.
3. Accession Process
Where do we
stand now in the negotiations?
Turkey is
not special: It has been two and a half years that a new chapter has not been
opened (bad sign). Both TR and EU are frustrated about the halt of negotiations.
Difficulties faced with TR regarding the accession process are not different
than any other candidate country. As a coordinator of the accession process of
Croatia, I can say that Turkey is not special. They say that the things made to
TR never happened before. Croatia negotiations had been stopped for one and a
half year by one member state. It is the same for TR, nothing is special, but
simply SAME.
 |
| Iceland, Croatia, Turkey, FYROM as "Candidate" countries and Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro and Kosova as "Potential" candidates to the EU |
Not negotiations, obligations: The entire EU legislation, acquis, should be accepted and introduced by law. No exception can be made on that issue. Negotiations do not mean for EU to make a concession to one issue. Turkey must accept all the legislation as it is. It is an obligation, not to be negotiated. Traditional strong state culture in TR concerns Turkish people about the concessions to the accession. But it is the way it is, if you want to be in EU, you have to do it, not negotiate.
Specific
issues: Of course, Cyprus issue is particular to the accession process of
Turkey, but the conditions are not different. Turkey has obligations regarding
the issue. It should open the ports, and recognize Republic of Cyprus.
We have
been discussing with Turkey about the functioning of customs union (can be
improved), visa issue (last week, eventually leading to a visa-free travel),
energy, and the foreign policy (intensifying dialogue, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
Balkans...). Turkey is an energy hub, and a transferring country for the
energy. EU is a large consumer. Intense and fruitful cooperation about energy
and foreign policy of EU (Middle-East, Caucasus, Iran...)
Though not
noticed in the press, recently, EU Council has decided that first time in 5
years, the “accession” as a word for Turkey is back on the agenda, especially
after fall of Sarkozy. We are also discussing a visa-free travel for Turkish
citizens.
There are
optimistic things:
2012 Progress Report for Turkey was the 15th
until now. There are issues about fundamental rights, judiciary system,
concrete but important things. Freedom of expression, minority issues,
journalists in prison have been watched anxiously by EU. Government was not
very satisfied, but we prepare it with them, they know earlier all about this
before the report is published. They are upset, but basically this is where TR
is. Ombudsman law, technical alignment, economy is in a good way, but EU does
not shy away from criticizing. EU gives common agenda to TR, it says what to
do, gives suggestion. A fair report, aligned with the reality. It tries to
harmonize TR with EU. TR should fulfil its obligations.
4. Why is the EU
important to Turkey?
Why is the
European Union important to Turkish people, especially young people? What kind
of a country would you like to live in? Choose it for yourself!
Croatia
compared with TR: Beauty of accession is not the accession itself. It is the
process of accession. It is the reforms.
Beauty of
the negotiations has already been seen on lots of aspects, ranging from the
abolishment of death penalty to the ban of marriage for the children under 18
(no tolerance against torture, prohibition of child marriage, protection for
women...). Do they interest you?. Reforms are done to fulfil the EU criteria in
the benefit of TR citizens. Independent judiciary, rule of law, equality in the
court are the subjects that EU did made a progress for the sake of Turkey. These
are important to TR or EU?
TR should
not ignore these reforms for the benefit of its people, for your generation,
for you, for your children.
Sexual
preferences, minority rights ... protect the EU. Making progress will not give
an argument to say that TR does not make a progress. Trade is also in the
benefit of Turkey.
Nearly 70%
of Turkish exports go to EU countries. Possibility of trade with the strongest
economies of the world without any tax, in a single customs union.
In conclusion:
People
think that EU is just about passport-free travel, economic benefits and so on.
Choosing the EU is to choose the country you want to live. Yes, EU is a customs
union, single market, and it has economic roots and benefits. But it is also a
community of shared values of humanity. This is the clue that keeps EU
together.
This is the
message for you!
If the
reforms are cared, the EU is cared. Choosing the country you want to live is an
important decision for the youth. I think that, together, EU and TR will continue
to work for living in a safer, more developed more prosperous, more democratic world.
Thank you!
