Let all of us, as well as the Turkish government, admit that what invigorated the dynamics of the European Union (EU) membership negotiations were the domestic political and economic concerns in Turkey. This was an attempt to "be European," completely cutting off from the Kemalist Westernization model (I do not mean to say "it should not have been so"). This was an onslaught in order that we should no longer experience military coups, February 28s [post-modern putsches], April 5 decisions [emergency economic measures], siphoned banks, the Caglars and the Uzans [bank siphoners], and also that long corruption lists should not surface any more. That is why very often we heard the expression, "We need a negotiation process, not membership." This approach was dreadfully European-centered. It was as if Europe makes no calculations, and if we make the institutional structures in Europe solve a series of our domestic problems, they would not demand anything from us.
Asking a family to give their daughter as a bride is simple. If the parents say "no," getting angry and beating of breasts is also simple… They said, "We will give...Yes, we would like to give our daughter [in marriage]; but you should first of all make sure that this amount of bracelets, this amount of clothes and this amount of bride price are ready." After that point, you cannot go on with secret intentions. The intention should be declared openly. Turkey should decide on acceding (or not acceding) to Europe as one single body, one soul after solving all its domestic problems by itself and also after considering the foreign policy interests of the country.
It was a wrong path. This is not because I know too much about Turkish politics, all I am saying is, the Europeans over-exaggerated this decision. Showing the stick and saying, "accept us," should not have been said. The remarks of former Prime Minister Tansu Ciller, "If you do not accept us, then it will become crystal clear that you are a Christian club and we will turn into a country like Iran"; those of current Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan,"If you do not accept us, you will be supporting the clash of civilizations thesis"; and also those of current Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, "If you do not accept us, we will turn towards Asia," were all wrong. Two European countries have already decided to hold referenda. In my opinion, this number will increase during the accession negotiations and Turkey's membership will turn into "a dialogue of civilizations or dialectics," instead of governmental policies. An EU with Turkey is no longer the anti-thesis of the clash of civilizations. Dialogues on civilizations should be promoted so that Turkey can join the EU. An EU with Turkey will not be a tool of dialogue, but the product itself.
I had noted the error in this statement by Mesut Yýlmaz, "The road to the EU passes through Diyarbakir" and emphasized that Turkey has to carry out its lobbying activities in EU capitals. I now see that I was right, even though I had not wanted it that way. Turkey has to undergo style verification after a verification of intention, and should embark upon a great project, within 10 years, in order to redeem its much-tarnished image of 300 years. This is the time to return to Asia. A Turkey that stands by Asia and holds the Middle East balance, will arouse respect in European capitals, however, this is also the right time for Turkey to turn towards Europe. It is also the time to make peace with our offended folks in Europe, take the representation of Turks from the hands of the Jacobins and radical secularist cadres and give it back to the people, open more schools, boost high-quality migration, investments in local countries, civil societies, cultural activities (I am talking about cultural activities by both protecting Turkishness and attaining universalism, not the oriental shows), and most importantly, show the will to find solutions to European problems. The Turkish Foreign Ministry should withdraw its mission serving Turks abroad and embark upon serious transformation. The interest shown by dynamic establishments like the Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) to Asia and the Middle East, should also be shown to Europe -- 10 fold. The desire to tranfer Turkey to Europe and even further, should not be under the Foreign Ministry, but under the auspices of the Culture and Tourism Ministry, and a "Turks Abroad Ministry," that should be established immediately.
