They both stand in a position that allows them to see how Turkey looks from Europe. They both know Europe very well and are aware of what is going on in Turkey, from its ruling party to its opposition and from its deep state to its marginal groups.I spoke with both separately. The similarity between their analyses was surprising. First, let us hear what Özdemir had to say. Commenting on the issue, he not only took his observations into account, he also shared the impression held by Europeans he is in contact with. For example, he asked his colleagues involved in journalism why they do not cover speeches of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leaders and reform project plans. They replied: “Words were soon turning into action before and we covered these words [speeches] and reform projects in our publications, applauding the steps taken. Now, on the other hand, the situation is different. There are many speeches, but there isn't that much action. We will support them again once reforms are carried out.”
The analysis offered by Lagendijk, who did not become a candidate in the latest European Parliament elections and decided to live in Turkey, is no different. “The reforms mentioned were carried out previously. There was less talk and more action. As of late, the gap between words and actions is widening. Many things are talked about, but much is being done.”
Looking from Ankara's perspective, it is possible to offer many explanations for this situation: the EU's failure to keep promises it made to Turkey and suspending eight chapters while accepting the membership of Greek Cyprus, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's and French President Nicolas Sarkozy's illegal opening of Turkey's membership to negotiation again, a political crisis that erupted in Turkey in 2007 regarding presidential elections and the frequent elections that followed thereafter, a closure case against the ruling AK Party -- a party which won the support of half the population -- which kept the leading power busy for eight months, the Ergenekon case, the opposition's irreconcilable stance, etc.
Until recently, AK Party officials responded to criticism they received about the slowdown in the reform process with these excuses, but criticism continued to mount. Although such criticism continues to be voiced, most people -- both in Brussels and in Turkey -- think 2009 has been and will be different from the past three years. One of the biggest differences is the appointment of Egemen Bağış as Turkey's chief EU negotiator and the man who will only have the duty to follow the EU process. Having held the post for six months, Bağış recently explained his performance to newspapers and news agency managers.
He was, of course, asked about the slowdown in the reform process. But this time, the minister had a long list of success at hand: the approval of the National Program at the beginning of the year, the appointment of the chief negotiator, the launch of a Kurdish TV station (TRT 6), the declaration of May Day as an official holiday, the enactment of a Law on The Secretariat General for European Union Affairs (ABGS), the enactment of laws on citizenship and customs, the reinstatement of the rights of acclaimed poet Nazım Hikmet, the visit of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Brussels after three years along with those of President Abdullah Gül and Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, the opening of the chapter on taxation, the formation of a "Women and Men Equal Opportunities Commission" in Parliament, Turkey's Voice Radio station's starting broadcasting in Armenian, the Reform Monitoring Group's decision to convene every two months, etc. We can also add to this a recent amendment to the Code on Criminal Procedure (CMK) that paves the way for the trial of military personnel in civilian courts.
In order to restore confidence in the government, this momentum should continue with other steps, such as legal reforms, constitutional changes and the Ombudsman Law. Membership is a political issue in the end. However, Turkey needs these changes regardless. As Bağış also underlined, Turkey can be a member of the EU when it is ready, as how 18 million East Germans entered the EU overnight. What is important is being ready on the date of accession.
