Gul: We Are On A Road Of No Return About E.U. Issue

ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Friday, ''we are on a road of no return about European Union (EU) issue. The reason of our request for a general discussion was that we reached a very critical period about the EU issue.''

Pre-discussion on motion for a general discussion on the EU was started at the Parliamentary General Assembly.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Gul said, ''the government requested a general discussion to be held by taking into consideration the critical period Turkey reached in its EU membership process. The general discussion coincided with a critical period. If Turkey fulfills its responsibilities, and if ruling and opposition parties and non-governmental organizations act together, accession talks will be opened in the end of next year. Therefore, we wanted our parliament to hold a general discussion on the biggest project of Turkey.''

Referring to some dates in relations between Turkey and the EU, Gul said that Turkey had taken an important step by joining the Customs Union in 1995.

Recalling that Turkey's candidacy was announced officially during the Helsinki Summit in December of 1999, Gul said, ''44 years have passed since Turkey's application to European Economic Community (EEC) and 40 years have elapsed since signing of Ankara Agreement. We experienced some ups and downs during this period. There were different approaches both in Turkey and the EU. However, Turkey has continued to progress on the path leading to the EU during all this process. As a result, the EU has become a state policy of Turkey. We are on a road of no return about EU issue.''

''We requested for a general discussion as we have reached a very critical period, and as the government, we are aware of it. As we see that the next one and a half years are very important and as there is power-opposition political will and as there is a wide compromise in Turkey, the aim of our request is not to miss this opportunity,'' he said.

Recalling that Turkey's EU candidacy had been registered at Helsinki summit in 1999, Gul said that Turkey and the EU had come more closer to each other and Turkey had attended all meetings of the EU after this summit.

Noting that a decision which was important for Turkey had been taken at the Copenhagen summit in December of 2002, Gul said that the decision was about start of negotiations ''without any postponement'' at the end of 2004 if Turkey fulfilled its responsibilities.

Stressing that the government would do its best for release of 2003 and 2004 progress reports in the best way, Gul said that quite positive approaches had appeared in relations between Turkey and the EU after the Copenhagen summit.

Stating that a conjuncture in favor of Turkey had been formed in the EU circles, Gul said that it had been revealed after the Iraq war that in addition to the United Nations and NATO, also the EU's political influence in international field had become insufficient.

Gul said it had been seen that Europe's strategic influence would increase with Turkey's political, economic, cultural and military potential and that Turkey would make vital contribution to consolidation of transatlantic relations.

Noting that there was a new conjuncture between Turkey and the EU, Gul said, ''Iraq war proved it. The EU showed that it could undertake role in important incidents in the world together with an important country such as Turkey. Besides, it was seen that not only Turkey but also the EU, itself, would have benefits from Turkey's accession.''

Gul added that he had personally witnessed at the meetings he attended that the position in favor of Turkey gained strength.

GUL: NO MATTER WE SAY THAT WE HAVE 15 MONTHS, IN FACT WE HAVE REMAINED 2-3 MONTHS

Gul said that it was normal that there were countries in EU which were against Turkey's membership, but the real political movements were in favor of Turkey.

Noting that it was accepted that the rejection of membership of Turkey, which fulfilled Copenhagen political criteria, would be a ''disaster'', Gul said, ''now it is discussed when Turkey will be member, while it was discussed whether Turkey will be member or not in the past.''

Emphasizing that it was not possible to tell when Turkey would be full member of EU, Gul said that everybody had to do their mission in the country for the continuation of increasing positive attitude and discourse.

Noting that relations with member countries would be carried on until the summit that would be held in December, 2004, Gul said, ''eliminating the legal deficiencies for adjustment to political criteria among us, eliminating the deficiencies for implementation and broadening basic rights and freedoms and preventing torture are important.''

Gul said that Turkey had 15 months to fulfill Copenhagen summit decisions and he emphasized the importance of completing political criteria within this year and positive reflection of it to 2003 Progress Report.

Noting that fulfillment of the criteria by Turkey and its being included in the report would make it ready to start negotiations in December 2004, Gul said that implementing the laws was as important as accepting them and Parliament and deputies had significant responsibility in this respect.

Gul said that there was a positive atmosphere for Turkey in European public opinion in last 3-4 months and added that whether negotiations with Turkey would start in the end of 2004 would be decided according to the report and thus, report's including objective evaluations was important.

Noting that 2003 Progress Report would be written in summer months and it would take its current shape in October, Gul said, ''for this reason, Commission's positive view is important. Thus, no matter we say that we have 15 months, in fact we have 2-3 months remained. Parliament has to accept many reform packages before it is recessed in summer. Our government is determined in this issue, and our ministries are working. We will present the studies to you. Next 2-3 months are very important for us. Because, reports which will be taken into consideration in negotiations are those that will be prepared in 2003.''

Gul referred to the sixth adjustment package and gave information about arrangements in the package.

''Most of these arrangements are being implemented in the whole world. For instance, the issue of observers in elections. This implementation takes place in many countries. Elections, which have been held in Turkey since 1946, were clear, fair and open elections. We do not have anything to evade. There may be some concerns. We should respect them. But when we negotiate them, we see that measures are taken to remove these concerns,'' he said.

Gul noted, ''technical adjustment works with the EU have been continuing. A total of 58 public institutions have participated in these works. We have been reviewing all regulations and trying to adjust them with the EU.''

''We are on a road of no return. We will do whatever is necessary to shorten this process. We have been expending efforts to remove problems in our financial cooperation with the EU. We have launched necessary initiatives for increase of EU's financial support to Turkey. The EU Commission proposed to provide Turkey with an aid of 250 million Euros in 2004, 300 million Euros in 2005 and 500 million Euros in 2005,'' he said.

Stressing that problems about the Customs Union stemmed from both Turkey and the EU, Gul said that an action plan on removal of several problems had been presented to the EU Accession Partnership Council, and they were expecting a response to that plan. ''Removal of all problems depends on Turkey's EU full membership,'' he added.

Noting that although the Cyprus issue was not directly related with Turkey's EU membership or opening of accession talks, it should be considered a factor, Gul recalled that Turkey had put forward its attitude towards EU membership of the Greek Cypriot administration. Stating that as the government, they were exerting efforts for a lasting solution for Cyprus issue and the steps that they had taken recently drew the attention of the world, Gul said that Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) were doing their best to this end.

''Mutual confidence should be settled. Several works have been done not only at the table but also in the field. I believe that also Greece and Greek Cypriot administration would assess in the best way the steps that Turkey has taken so far,'' he said.

Stressing that leaders of Germany and France had adopted positive attitude about Turkey's full membership, Gul said that relations with the parliaments of European countries, friendship groups and parliamentarians should be improved.

Calling on the non-governmental organizations to take responsibility and action, Gul said, ''sometimes, their remarks are more effective than ours.''

Noting, ''we have to complete a period of 40 years well,'' Gul said, ''countries which we call Iron Curtain countries ten years ago became members. You can think that how these countries have become member before Turkey. Important changes and revolutions happened in those countries. Former structure was completely collapsed and their accession became easy as they formed new structures. But, we have a big tradition, we did not experience such a process. As we have been in pluralist democracy since 1950, ours has become different. Eliminating our habits became more difficult.''

Evaluating the current situation as ''critical point'', Gul said, ''in the coming period, we either open negotiation door to EU or close it completely. Thus, our government is aware of it. So, we started our activities before our government was formed after elections. In fact, such a thing was not expected from us and Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government. Thus, it takes EU to a different point. What is pleasing is that ruling and opposition parties are claiming this issue together. I believe that we will evaluate this opportunity in a better way. We, as the government, are continuing on this way in a determined manner. We will start a new mobilization on this path. We will carry on studies by including non-governmental organizations and intellectuals in and out of parliament.''

Europe has to have educated immigrants since they've aborted themselves out of existance. Turkey is one of the few places with educated secular Muslims. It's unlikely that they will be much more assimilable than Asians would be.

Old Europe has had it. Hopefully, Britain and New Europe will pull back before it's too late for them.

I wish that we could make the Turks a counter offer. Like extend a NAFTA like free trade zone to them if they don't join the EU.

They sit on the second most strategic bit of real estate in the world, the first being Gibralter. They, like us, like the UK can be considered heirs of the Romans (which they conquered, fair and square). They went through more terrorism than we have, and their institutions are basically intact. Unlike the French, they are redoubtable in battle.

Turls can't be an heir to the Romans by conquest (that is one of the stupidest things I have ever read on this forum)--its via cultural diffusion....and we will not extend any free trade to Turkey--textile and steel industry here in the states would not go for it (Turkey uses cheap sweat shop like labor practices).

And your suggestion is that when the Turks conquered Constantinople they didn't learn anything?

The Turks had previously conquered Anatolia, Greece, Thrace, and didn't learn anything from that either? Or is it that you can't learn from the Romans is you are Muslim, but you can learn from (Pagan) Romans if you are Christian?

Please, instruct me oh Master.

Damn right--no Ottoman Turks ever studied Plato or Aristotle or expounded on the code of Justinian. No Ottoman Turk wrote commentaries on Cicero or on Virgil. No Turkish Imams transcribed Sophocles and Themistocles like German, Frankish, Italian or Celtic monks did. The Ottomans studied the Persians in their "universities" not the classical Latins or Greeks.

The Ottomans inherited the libraries, and used them. They were, before the crusades, far more advanced than the western european nations. They had state sponsored copyists, and several of the classical authors work would be unknown today if not for the existance of arabic translations that were later translated back into Latin. in particular, the Arabs were good at math, as shown by the prevalence of arabic numbers and the word algebra. Their furnishings were also rather advanced, as you know if you ever sat on a sofa.

I agree that the rennaissance was substantially kick started by the grecoroman refugees from the former Eastern Roman Empire.

My point was that the translations were transmission of learning from the ancient Greek and Romans. The Greeks and Romans could not seem to stand up to what is euphemistically called "population pressure" from the barbarians. I have a notion that an ancient or middle ages city was a very unhealthy place. Monastic influence also removed many from the breeding pool. The later Roman Empire recruited, and eventually had entire nations living in their territory, and had an alliance with the Bulgarians to guard the north gate. Still, the Eastern Roman empire had army after army wash up against it, rather than having army after army of theirs wash against the population poor Arabs. Anatolia was a rich province, how could the desert people conquer it, unless they had superior skills in administration, to say nothing else.

I don't wish to underestimate the effect of the "4th Crusade" on Constantinople. Its cost was great, not just in terms of money but also in its harvest of Christian distrust.

The Ottomans won Anatolia by battle. Islam was slowed by the Mongols, but not stopped. Ottoman cannon breached the walls. The Jannissaries, in part of European stock, were able to penetrate the walls and the city was sacked for the second time.

The Ottomans learned from the Romans, used their administrative skills, and inherited the land. Their victory in 1453 was in part due to imitation, the most sincere form of flattery.

My point was that the translations were transmission of learning from the ancient Greek and Romans.

Don, your point was that the Turks did the transmitting. That is not true at all. The transmitters were Arabs. The Turks pretty much destroyed Arabic civilization as well as the Christian ones. Therefore your claim that the Turks were the "inheritors" of Roman civilization the way say the Germans were is spurious claim.

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