Turkey’s joining the European Union will be an important contribution to global peace and prosperity, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a keynote address to participants in the opening session of the World Economic Forum in Turkey today. “Turkey’s membership in the EU will be an important example of how an alliance of civilizations can be achieved,” he declared. But there are those who do not see the benefits, he acknowledged. Nevertheless, the prime minister stressed that, “We should work together so we can achieve world peace and push out global terror and the clash of civilizations.”
More than 400 business, government, media, academic and civil society leaders are participating in the two-day meeting under the theme “Connecting Regions – Creating New Opportunities”. This is the second World Economic Forum meeting to be held in Turkey since 1998. Said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum: “We are here at a moment when the region is more and more characterized by instability but Turkey is characterized more and more by stability.”
Prime Minister Erdogan also stressed that Turkey is pushing ahead with deep economic, political and social reforms, which are essential if the country is to qualify for EU membership. The impact of these structural reforms has already been felt, he said. “It is a silent revolution.” His government would continue the responsible management of the economy that resulted in 7.6% growth last year and brought inflation and public spending under control. “We have not compromised on our fiscal discipline and will not in the future,” Erdogan promised.
As a result, “Turkey is going through an incredible economic, political and social transformation,” said Ali Babacan, Minister of the Economy of Turkey, and Chief Negotiator for the European Union. “What is most important is that Turkey has been the owner of this transformation. Ownership has been the key to success.” Through its reforms, Turkey is sending a strong signal that democracy, secularism, Islam and economic growth can co-exist, Babacan reckoned.
Negotiations between Turkey and the EU began last year. During the session, panellists discussed the status of the talks. The situation is “very positive”, said Joaquín Almunia, Commissioner, Economic and Monetary Affairs, European Commission, Brussels. But “some reforms have not advanced as quickly as we hoped.” The main problem is the Cyprus question, Almunia added. “If the questions linked to Cyprus are not solved, this will affect the overall negotiations.” Turkey has undergone “drastic” economic reforms as part of its commitment to EU membership, said Ferit F. Sahenk, Chairman, Dogus Holding, Turkey. “We have done our bit.” Turkey has ambitions to be a regional economic power, he continued. “We are becoming a bridge between East and West and between North and South as well. The EU and Turkey will be a great partnership but we have to understand each other a little more.”
Relations between the EU and Turkey have come under strain since the accession talks began. Hanzade Dogan, Chief Executive Officer, Dogan Newspaper Publishing, Dogan Media Group (DYH), Turkey, pointed out that five years ago, the support for EU membership among Turkish people was around 70%. One recent survey indicated that public support had dropped to only 30%. A major reason for the collapse is the Cyprus issue, Dogan said. After accepting the UN plan to resolve the problem, Turkish people were dismayed that Greek Cypriots rejected it in a referendum and Cyprus joined the EU. “We cannot just say it is an illusion of double standards,” Dogan said. “This has caused the Turkish public to lose faith.” To galvanize the negotiations, Europe must present a more appealing vision. “It is now for the EU to sell the idea of a strong, globalized Europe not just to the Turkish people but to the people in Paris.” Rather than focus on small agendas, Europe must look at the big, long-term picture, Dogan concluded.
Despite the roadblocks, Babacan said that Turkey would not walk away from its negotiations with the EU. “We will always be there to talk.” From his perspective as leader of a country that recently joined the EU, Valdas Adamkus, President of Lithuania, said that the road to membership is painful. But he denied that double standards have been applied to Turkey. Such allegations are “nothing but false illusions”, he added. “The success of the negotiations will depend on the resolve and courage of people to make the necessary but not always popular decisions. There is a long way to go, but I have no doubt that one day the EU will welcome Turkey into the family.” The President concluded: “Europe needs Turkey and Turkey needs Europe.”
