Turkey has been involved in accession negotiations with the EU since 2005, but progress has been slow, strengthening the hand of Turkey-skeptic politicians in Europe. There is a commonly-held belief in Turkey that Turkey's job is more difficult with the new EP; however, many argue that this should not be seen as a disadvantage as Turkey can easily overcome the opposition by launching an extensive reform process and increasing the quality of its democracy.Milliyet's Hasan Cemal, one of the Turkish journalists who met with EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn in Brussels after the EP elections, says Rehn's message was crystal clear: Turkey should roll up its sleeves to forge ahead with reforms, otherwise things will be difficult. Referring to Rehn, Cemal cites the following areas in which Turkey should take urgent steps for reform: freedom of expression, freedom of the press, the Political Parties' Law, the Labor Unions' Law, the Cyprus problem and the issue of religious freedoms. Cemal also points to a liberal constitution, an ombudsman's law, ethical institutions, the Supreme Court of Accounts Law, the signing of the United Nations treaty against torture and steps for judicial reforms as addition issues that Turkey needs to deal with according other EU sources. He says Turkey's relations with the EU stumble on with 10 chapters out of 35 having been opened so far, but they cannot be closed yet as eight chapters have been suspended due to Turkey's rejection of opening its ports and airports to Greek Cyprus while five chapters have been suspended due to France's opposition. “Fourteen of the 35 chapters are in suspension. What emerges from this gloomy picture is that Turkey should immediately embark on its reform process," suggests Cemal.
According to Sabah's Erdal Şafak, Turkey should stop worrying about the EP elections results and concentrate on realizing its responsibilities for membership. The important thing for Turkey is to launch the reform process and take steps to expand the scope of freedoms, he says.
Yeni Şafak's Ali Bayramoğlu is of the belief that if Turkey realizes the EU reforms swiftly, this will place the opponents of Turkey's EU membership, such as French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in a difficult situation. “Put aside the EU issue, the reforms are necessary to raise the bar of democracy in Turkey as well as the rights and welfare of its citizens,” he says, noting that the EU membership goal may be regarded as a driving force and a tool of stability in this regard. In his view, covering distance on the path to the EU would mean that this system of values has become a driving force, but if Turkey diverts from this path, it will mean isolation and a descent into internal clashes.
