The main objective of these efforts is to influence French public opinion in Turkey's favor and also to develop realistic approaches to bilateral relations and to help people to better understand each other. It's not certain whether one season will be enough to reshape French public opinion, but it is certainly a good opportunity for Turkey if it wants to learn public diplomacy. Maybe, thanks to this season, Turkish citizens will see that all French people are not the same and vice versa, and maybe both nations will start to understand that not everything that is good belongs to “us” and everything bad to “them.” Unfortunately, the season's timing is quite bad.
Because of the attitude displayed by Nicolas Sarkozy, who has devoted himself to preventing Turkey's European Union membership, Turkey was indecisive about whether or not to cancel the season outright. Maybe Ankara saw that Sarkozy would be relieved by the cancellation of the season and the EU members who support Turkey's accession would find themselves in a more difficult position, and so the season was kept. Those who will try to explain and represent Turkey in cities throughout France will certainly encounter negative, Sarkozy-like reactions, but Sarkozy's perception must not dictate everything. It is not worth stopping Turkey's EU accession process because of Sarkozy's anti-Turkey stance. Sarkozy is not opposed to Turkey just because Turkey has slowed down its reform process or hasn't seen significant progress on the Cyprus issue; he is opposed to Turkey because he likes the attitude of not wanting Turkey.
Let's take a look at the outcomes of what Sarkozy wants or doesn't want in other domains: It appears that his cooperation within the EU with Germany will not bring the anticipated boost to the French economy. Because of his policy of cultivating close allies with the US, French diplomats face difficulties regarding Israel, Lebanon, Iran and even Russia. The French leader faces the consequences of his policy, as on the one hand, he says he wants to get closer to the US and, on the other, that he wants to maintain France's “independent” foreign policy. There are many French citizens who are aware of this impossible situation. In addition, other EU member states have started to raise their voices, complaining that Sarkozy's policies are harmful for Europe. As a consequence, it is not easy for France to keep its current Turkey policy going like this. Some of Sarkozy's friends have noticed this, and they have implemented a tactical change: They try to keep Turkey away from the EU not by angering it but by directing it to alternatives. For them, the Season of Turkey is a chance to advance the option of a privileged partnership.
Social and business actors think that this season will break the ice between the two countries and make it possible to establish solid bilateral relations. But at the same time, France is trying to get Turkey to forget about the EU and instead accept a so-called privileged relationship. This policy, which would mean bypassing the EU, will probably be refused by other EU members as well. Besides, Turkey seeks to develop bilateral relations with EU countries in the hope of knocking more confidently on the EU's door. So if France thinks that Turkey can be confined into a bilateral relation framework, it needs to learn that this will not happen because of practical realities. The development of bilateral relations with France is meaningful for Turkey as long as this helps Turkey get closer to the EU. Let's hope that those who participate in the Season of Turkey soon notice this fact.
