Some even argue that the AK Party government pursued an energetic reform policy until 2004 to allay fears about its alleged hidden agenda to steer Turkey toward an Islamist regime, but that after winning big in last year’s parliamentary elections it has increasingly come under the influence of “EU skeptics” and nationalists among its ranks and the government has proceeded to do nothing more than pay lip service to the accession process.In assessing the slowing down of reforms in Turkey the following, however, must also be taken into consideration: In the history of the EU no other candidate country has received as little encouragement and support for reforms as Turkey. No other candidate country has been offered by leading members of the EU “privileged partnership” rather than full membership after the start of membership negotiations. With no other candidate country has the EU suspended negotiations in 14 out of 35 chapters soon after the start of accession talks. The Greek part of Cyprus, which rejected a UN and EU-sponsored plan to reach a comprehensive solution on the island, was made a full member of the bloc, while the Turkish part, which supported the plan, has been left out.
There is no doubt that all these have led to a drastic decline in the EU’s soft power over Turkey, significantly diminished popular support for EU accession and a boost for EU opponents. The negative signals coming from the EU have surely affected the internal balances of the AK Party. The AK Party is, however, not the only political player in Turkey. It is impossible to account for the slowing down of the EU reforms without taking into consideration the resistance coming from parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition, including the civilian-military bureaucracy, some representatives of which go as far as accusing the EU for encouraging separatism and terrorism in Turkey.
The AK Party government, however, needs to be reminded of the following: Turkey has acquired rights before the EU, and the EU has legal commitments towards Turkey. In the EU there are supporters of Turkey’s accession who are as strong as its opponents. Ankara should not fail to reactivate the reform process, to help Turkey foremost, but also to help its supporters in the EU. The EU negotiation process is an excellent road map for Turkey to consolidate its democracy and modernize its economy. Even if at the end Turkey is rejected by the EU, in violation of its own principles and interests, the EU reforms will be to the great benefit of the country as they have already been.
EU or no EU, the AK Party government has to do everything in its power to bring to light and put before justice those responsible for the armed gangs and political murders which aim at destabilizing the country. The new constitution that is now in preparation should not only put an end to bureaucratic privileges, but also guarantee the basic rights and freedoms of citizens, irrespective of religious creed and ethnic identity.
There is no doubt that freedom of speech in Turkey has broadened through EU reforms put in force under the AK Party government. However, there remain undemocratic restrictions that are yet to be lifted. The best that can be done for the infamous article 301 is surely to remove it from the penal code.
The AK Party government should no longer wait, and like all other civilized governments, it should sign the Kyoto Protocol and become party to the International Criminal Court. Ankara cannot harbor hopes of getting elected to the UN Security Council before taking these measures.
Relations with the EU should no longer be regarded as just another responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Turkey should, like many other candidate countries have done, establish a special Ministry of EU Affairs, and let the EU Minister lead the accession negotiations.
Against all odds, nearly half of the population continues to support EU accession. Nearly half of the electorate voted for the AK Party in the recent election. Surveys show that those who trust the AK Party government and Parliament make up no less than two thirds of Turkey’s citizens. The AK Party government, therefore, has no excuses to fail to energetically pursue political and economic reforms toward fulfilling the EU membership criteria.
