Until a short while ago, the prevalent belief was that a positive decision would come out from the EU and that 'this job is done'. However, opposing voices and negative signals have appeared in the few weeks before the decision is due, which have caused civil society to act again.
There have been many studies about the EU from NGOs, both joint and separate, but the most important of these studies is the one that was realized by the Turkish Platform. This platform includes representatives from all parts of the society such as academicians, farmers, professionals, workers, press members, civil servants, students, artists, industrialists, freelancers, sportsmen and traders. Nearly 250 NGOs are the members of this platform. So far, the platform has had influence in EU institutions and member countries as well as in Turkey with the declarations released after meetings organized in Turkey and Brussels
Today, the platform is holding its second Brussels meeting, after the first in November 2002. The meeting, which will be held in the Conrad Hotel, is organized with the cooperation of the Turkish Union of Chambers and Stock Exchanges (TOBB) and Economic Development Foundation (IKV). Nearly 500 representatives from NGOs, chairs of chambers and stock exchanges have arrived in Brussels, the capital of EU, for the meeting on three private planes chartered by TOBB. Being one of the major members of the Platform, TOBB lobbies for acceptance of the findings of the meetings in EU Chambers of Trade and Industry as well as business circles. The first meeting in this city was also organized under the leadership of TOBB and IKV.
In the meeting, to start at noon today, the platform members will first meet among themselves. Then, they will hold the general meeting with the foreign guests. TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu and IKV Chairman Davut Okutcu will make the opening speech in the second session when the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend and make a speech as well. Erdogan will give one of his final messages to the EU before the December 17 summit. Turkey-EU Joint Consultation Committee Co-President Jann Olsson, European Parliament (EP) former President Patrick Cox, Vice President of the European Commission Alejo Vidal and the Commission's Enlargement officer, Olli Rehn will attend the meeting as guest speakers.
During the same hours, Turkey Industrialists and Businessmen Association's (TUSIAD) seminar entitled 'Economic Integration: Turkey from the Perspective of EU Economy' will start in Paris, the capital of France, which is one of the countries that most opposes Turkey's membership.
It is expected that a declaration will be released at the end of the second Brussels meeting, which will reveal the expectation that 'the negotiations should start without any delay and condition and the process should end in full membership'. In short, the Turkish Platform will want the EU leaders to remain loyal to the agreements and to be fair, as well as sharing its thoughts with the EU public.
The attitudes of Turkish government, opposition and NGOs are very clear. Firstly, Turkey, having fulfilled its responsibilities, cannot accept new obstacles or conditions put before it. Secondly, the only possible outcome of the negotiations should be full membership and the Cyprus issue should not be put forward as a condition, and thirdly, the date for the start of negotiations should be clear and evident.
These are not extra demands from Turkey. These are just reminders.
To what extent the latest attempts will decrease the prejudices and concerns are unclear, but what we can say is that the EU is facing a serious test of its sincerity. In the EU leaders summit on Friday, the European leaders will not only decide about Turkey, but will also show whether they honor their promises. This decision will be an important turning point for Western and Eastern civilizations as well as for Europe and Turkey.
December 10, 2004
