The time period that Turkey has currently found itself in is the most critical phase of the country's EU adventure. Turkey has never been so close to Europe. Of course, this is thanks to the reform packages of the AKP government. Now, at a time when the government should be calm and tranquil, there is tension and haste. There is something wrong. Yes, the AKP has sensitivities and red lines, but it needs to be careful when turning these into policies. It needs to ask, "Is it worth it?" The incidents [surrounding the Turkish Penal Code (TCK)] that have been going for the past few days are akin to shooting oneself in the foot.
AKP amazed many circles both at home and abroad with the headway it made with its reforms. It prepared harmonization packages one by one, and each of those brought about radical changes in the system. For the sake of the EU, the AKP even took some steps that did not sit well with the average citizen or party administration. They began a campaign to get a discussion date in December 2004. While everything was going well, while we entered the final stage and began the countdown to the EU Summit's decision in December…
AKP convened an emergency meeting of the Parliament to discuss the TCK package. This was done as a gesture to Europe prior to the release of the October 6th Progress Report on Turkey. AKP wanted to play to the EU by increasing the punishments of crimes that the EU is sensitive about, such as torture and honor killings. Changing only 5-6 articles would have done the trick; however, AKP moved to completely overhaul the TCK, and it reached an agreement with the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) to do just that.
While the articles were quickly passing from the General Council with changes done in a positive way by heeding the voices rising from society, a last minute surprise amazed everyone; the package was withdrawn to the Justice Commission. The excuse was so that the TCK draft could be legalized simultaneously with the changes made in the Criminal Trials Procedural Law (CMUK).
Despite this excuse, the widespread opinion in Ankara remains: The AKP sent the draft to the Justice Commission because it was unhappy about being stonewalled on the adultery issue. The party is searching for ways to rework the issue to its liking.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with his party's top officials. He told them that the EU did not initially make a fuss about AKP wanting to criminalize adultery. The trouble began after some circles began using the EU to try and direct the government's action, explained Erdogan.
In the same hours EU Commissioner for Enlargement Gunter Verheugen's spokesman Jean Christophe Filori indicated, "[Vergeugen] is concerned by the withdrawal of the TCK draft."
Erdogan voiced his resentment and challenged, "The EU cannot become involved in our internal affairs. Of course, we do not find Turkey's EU membership obligatory. We took the necessary steps."
The time period that we are in now is the most critical phase in Turkey's EU adventure. The atmosphere is extraordinarily positive for a discussion date. To be honest, Turkey has never been so close to Europe. Of course, this is thanks to the reform packages of the AKP government. Now, at a time when the government should be calm and tranquil, there is tension and haste. This is not right. I am keenly aware that AKP has sensitivities, red lines and some values that it can never give up. However, it needs to be careful when turning these into policies. It should first consider, "Is it worth it?" At this point is it really worth darkening Turkey's European horizon for the sake of an arrangement? The incidents of the past few days amount to shooting oneself in the foot after taking such careful and true steps towards the EU.
More than likely these events satisfied those who are against the EU. For once it will benefit Turkey's if the government avoids acting impulsively and instead begins behaving more calmly.
