Al-Jazeera, Qatar
December 17, 2004
Turks cold to EU accession deal
By Jonathan Gorvett
Friday 17 December 2004, 22:56 Makka Time, 19:56 GMT
Scepticism greeted the EU accession deal amongst Turks
After a day marked by crisis talks and last-minute deals, Turkey’s
European Union road now stands open, with a date to start membership
talks fixed for 3 October 2005.
When on Friday the news finally broke that an agreement on the
country’s most cherished ambition of 40 years had been reached, there
was little in the way of celebration to be seen amongst ordinary
Turks.
To test out reactions to the news, Aljazeera.net spoke to people in
one Turkish heartland that has always been part of Europe, at least,
geographically.
In the town of Eceabat, located at the Dardanelles Strait on the very
edge of continental Europe, news that a final agreement had been
brokered roused little enthusiasm – and much scepticism.
One who questioned the worth of Ankara’s EU bid, and of the bloc’s
sincerity in wanting Turkey to join its ranks, was local artist Sera
Sekitmen.
Tough conditions
“The conditions being set out for us are very tough and very hard to
accept given our nationalism,” she said. “I do not believe that for
the price we will have to pay there will be great benefits from
becoming a member.”
EU deal involves more difficulties
for Turkey, says Sekitman
She was referring to the extra clauses that have been added to the
agreement between the EU and Turkey. These touch on issues such as
recognition of Cyprus and the possibility that the talks will not end
in full membership. Such terms have never before been asked of a
country seeking membership.
“There are more difficulties for us, more compromises being asked
for,” Sekitman said.
“As an individual I would not make so many compromises. For example,
on issues that we had insisted on throughout history, like the
Armenian genocide, that I believe happened, and the recognition of
southern Cyprus, we as a state said no for many years. Now we are
asked to say yes, this is a double standard for us. I would not give
so much.”
Opinion polls
Though scepticism remains strong, recent polls put support for
joining the EU among Turkish people at 80%, far higher than in most
of the countries that became members in May. However, in countries
such as Poland, Cyprus and Malta, there was little question of
whether they were wanted.
For 65-year old Ayse Ordu, this, however, is precisely the point.
“The prime minister keeps saying we will get into the EU,” he says.
“I am not so sure. We have many poor and jobless. They would go and
try to get jobs there. Would the EU agree to that? Would they really
like to let so many of our people into their countries? I am not so
sure.”
The deal caused a surge in
Turkey’s stock market
Local Nermin Demir saw Turkey’s unstable economy, rather than a
question of religion, as the main obstacle to accession. Despite the
news that EU leaders had agreed on a date for membership talks to
start, Demir says that her country is a long way from Europe.
“We are told everything will be fine if we get into the EU and that
the problems of the economy and unemployment will be resolved,” Demir
said. “But will they take us? We have many disadvantages such as
poverty, unemployment and our system is very different and that is a
problem on its own. I mean as people, citizens and as a state we are
different.”
Yet Turkey’s financial markets were a lot more positive about the
news of a date and a deal. The Istanbul Stock Exchange Index surged
late on Friday while the Turkish currency strengthened against the
dollar.
Simple fact
But the simple fact is, according to shop owner Askin Gungor, is that
Europe doesn’t want Turkey in its ranks – and Friday’s decision to
open accession talks has come too quickly for both sides.
“They do not want us.They will never have us”
Askin Gungor,
shop owner, Eceabat
“They do not want us,” Gungor said while standing outside his shop on
Eceabat’s main street. “They will never have us. Look at the Greek
Cyprus issue, this is just the beginning. Next will come more
enforced conditions. In fact, I see the future being worse when they
apply pressure on even more issues.”
Gungor believes that Turkey is not in a position to meet the rigid
demands of the EU in the short term and fears political and economic
instability if it tries to do so.
“Turkey cannot bear those burdens,” he said. “It is not just in one
area but in many and in fact in all sectors difficulties will occur.
There will be problems in all areas: fishing, the food sector that I
am in, textiles. In everything we are not ready yet. We do things our
way and we make mistakes and we are far from being ready for such
change.”
Doubts aside, however, Turkey does have a date to start accession
talks, although they may take 10-15 years to complete. This in itself
marks a major step, even if the consequences may still be viewed with
great suspicion on the streets of small town Turkey.