Mr. Cameron is a new kind of Conservative leader -- partly because he represents a new generation of British politicians, and partly because of his own straightforward personality and leadership style. There is, of course, a third element, which comes down to “having to learn how to compromise” as his very own coalition government is based on exactly that rare ability. However, tolerance should have its limits, and I will come back to the prime minister’s remarks about the situation in Gaza in a few paragraphs.Listening to Cameron this Tuesday one feels reassured that not all is doom and gloom in Europe, but that a fresh wind seems to be blowing and, above all, in the right direction. Lending support for another country’s full membership in the EU -- an institution which is often criticized across the Dover Strait -- from time to time triggers cynical comments from a few hard-line British Euroskeptics that the strategy to enlarge the EU would ultimately lead to its demise. Cameron is on the other side of this political camp: He does not want to leave the EU, neither does he want to lose influence over its decision-making bodies. What he wants is to have a strong Britain in a modified EU.
This position is a perfect springboard for Turkey’s own EU ambitions, as many, if not most, Turkish voters would happily sign a statement that reads “a strong Turkey in a strong/modified EU.” Does this mean there is common ground between London and Ankara? Indeed. Now let us try to read between the lines of what Cameron said and what he and his government will be able to deliver.
Full membership: As both Paris and Berlin over time will come to the realization that a 27 member bloc cannot be managed by two states alone, they will need allies. Public opinion for an ever-closer union -- at least in Germany -- is fast eroding. An ongoing financial crisis, as well as international conflict, necessitates a united EU, not a collection of individual actors. If London gets the message across that it finally wants to help build a better Europe instead of permanently waiting in the wings only to criticize each and every EU policy, other EU member states will more readily lend support to London’s political desires, too. If London openly backs Ankara while at the same time becoming a more visible EU member state, chances are others (in particular Conservative party leaders) will follow suit.
Axis shift: Mr. Cameron made it very clear that Turkey’s increasing influence in the region is a positive thing; it is a development that merits applause and full recognition. Listening to Cameron one may be forgiven for thinking that the EU closed its doors vis-a-vis Turkey, rather than Turkey shifting away from the West. Hence, there was a deplorable axis shift in Europe, but definitely not in Turkey.
Economic cooperation: It is expected that within the next decade Turkey will become one of the world’s fastest growing economies. The current Turkish government is pro-business and pro-free trade, and so is the new British government. Both countries may help to form a less protectionist, more market-oriented EU where goods, capital, services and, above all, people will move freely and for the benefit of all concerned.
On Gaza: Mr. Cameron referred to Gaza as “a prison camp.” Those are strong words, but the correct terminology. Here is an issue for which the time for compromise seems to have come to an end, and urgent action is required to end the unjust blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Ankara will now be able to analyze its foreign and economic policies with the perspective that what Turkish politicians try to achieve will be respected in many European quarters, and with the idea that negative messages from a minority of countries should not pressure Turkey into changing its course. As it seems, Ankara has found a close political ally in this undertaking.
