“The good thing is that Daniel Cohn-Bendit, heading the Greens in France, has had huge success … He is the winner of the elections in France despite his pro-Turkey approach,” he said. “Another thing is the Swedish takeover of the EU presidency. It is a great advantage for Turkey.”

Influential European politicians who oppose Turkey's membership, such as French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, are still powerful, he said, noting, however, that Turkey should concentrate on reforms.

“Turkey should not look very much at what is going on in France and Germany but should concentrate on what they always claim [to be doing]: fulfilling the Ankara criteria. That's what Turkish politicians have always said -- that Turkey is doing the reforms for its own citizens,” he stressed.

He also explored the question of whether there would be a mentality change in favor of Turkey in some European countries if Turkey moves on with its reforms.

“At least the process would not stop,” he said.

The success of center-right parties opposed to Turkey's EU membership has been interpreted by many observers as a new blow to Turkey's already troubled EU bid. The European Commission has frozen eight out of 35 negotiation chapters over the Cyprus dispute and will review the situation in December. In November, the EU will publish its annual enlargement progress report, which is expected to be critical of the lack of key reforms of late, in contrast with the highly enthusiastic reform spirit of the 2003-2004 period.

For Monday Talk, Köhne elaborated on the significance of the EP elections for Turkey, the EU's future and what it is like to report from Turkey.

The European Parliament looks more colorful than before. What do you think this says?

Gunnar Köhne, 13 years of reporting from Turkey Based in İstanbul, he has been reporting for Deutsche Welle TV, ARTE and public radio stations in Germany since 1996. His books include “Die Zukunft der Menschenrechte. 50. Jahre UN-Erklarung: Bilanz eines Aufbruchs” (The Future of Human Rights: 50th Anniversary of the UN Declaration) in 1998 and a travel book about Turkey called “Marco Polo Reiseführer Türkei” (Marco Polo Guidebook Turkey) in 2001.

The basic power sharing is the same, although the conservatives have gotten stronger and the socialists have gotten weaker. In addition, we have new groups of Euroskeptics in the parliament, but they are so marginal that they won't have the ability to influence any EP decisions. The decision-making in the EU Parliament is limited, anyway. The EU Commission proposes rules and regulations which need the approval of the parliament. Again, many of those need the approval of national parliaments. So the EP is not so powerful.

We also saw a record low when it comes to voter turnout.

It is basically the same. Always low. It is hard to communicate to the people how important the EP is. Additionally, there are countries where there are several elections this year, for example, Germany. So people get tired of elections and make a choice of voting either in national polls or in the EP. And many of the EP politicians are not public figures the way the politicians who run in national polls are.

Can we say that the EU has been built without the participation of the public or despite the public?

Not entirely. Where you have a high turnout is when you have a referendum in the EU. Look at the Irish referendum [saying no to the Treaty of Lisbon]. There is big polarization when it comes to saying “yes” or “no” to a bigger or smaller EU, although many people did not know what the Lisbon Treaty was when they were voting on it. But the referendums showed that there is an interest in EU matters. There is also a growing awareness that our daily lives are influenced by the EU although that is not so easy to see.

How so? Would you elaborate?

We have a big economic crisis now, and for the unemployed in Germany, it is hard to see whether or not the EU can help them. But if you look at what the EU has been doing for the countries who were hit hard by the crisis -- Hungary, the Baltic states -- they would not be able to survive without the help of the big European family. People there would value the EU contribution to their own lives much more than in bigger countries, which feel more like they are only paying.

When it comes to the accession of Turkey to the EU, how do you think the recently elected EP will influence the process?

The general picture, pro or contra Turkey in the EP, has not changed. What is a pity for Turkey is that many individuals who were engaged in getting Turkey on board are no longer members of the parliament, Joost Lagendijk, for example, or Cem Özdemir. But the good thing is that Daniel Cohn-Bendit, heading the Greens in France, has had huge success, winning 16 percent. He is the winner of the elections in France despite his pro-Turkey approach.

But Sarkozy's Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) took more seats than the Socialists and Greens put together, winning 30 of France's 72 seats.

In the end, it is always the powerful countries like France and Germany which have a major say in the enlargement process. There is also the rule of unanimity when it comes to voting on EU decisions. EU member states have been discussing whether or not to change the unanimity requirement since there is always a state which can oppose decisions when you have 27 members.

You still find it important that the French Greens have gained some power.

Sixteen percent is really good. Sarkozy is still very powerful. But there will be new presidential elections and there will be parliamentary elections before we come to the day that Turkey can enter the EU as it successfully fulfills the criteria and completes negotiations. Then, there may be a totally different picture in the EU. Sarkozy and Merkel will not be there, either. So in about 2015, we may have a different political picture in the EU. Turkey should not look very much at what is going on in France and Germany but should concentrate on what they always claim [to be doing]: fulfilling the Ankara criteria. That's what Turkish politicians have always said -- that Turkey is doing the reforms for its own citizens.

How do you see the EU's future after the EP elections?

Europe is in the middle of a serious economic crisis. Just recently, one of the major warehouse companies in Germany collapsed. We are talking about 60,000 workers who lost their jobs. That is really the news. When it is bad, people become introspective. When it is good, they are more open to the happenings beyond their borders. And when it is bad, nationalists gain more ground. I just read that Polish people buy houses on the German side of the border because those houses are half the price, and they are settling there. That is good for the area because people shop there, pay taxes and so on. But suddenly, the Germans tell them, “Go back to Poland.” That shows that the idea of “the united states of Europe” is not deeply rooted.

‘In Germany, the issue is the economy'

I heard from another German journalist last week that pre-election media coverage of Turkey always increases in Germany even though it is not a major topic. What do you think?

In Germany, the issue is the economy. There is a general feeling of being a little bit tired of the Turkey discussion in Germany even among those who are for Turkey. Many people think that Turkey's accession is not an immediate question anymore and that Turkey is the one which is not progressing on the accession issue.

What do we see from the EU point of view when it comes to the Cyprus issue, considering the fact that it was the EU that accepted a divided land into the union and then punished Turkey by closing eight negotiation chapters even though it was Turkey that was for the Annan plan and not the Greeks?

 That was five years ago. Many in the EU say, “Yes, we did something wrong, but it happened, and we have to move forward.” Turkey must now cope with the situation. The best way is to go forward if you really want to achieve membership and show the determination to fulfill the criteria.

Do you think there could be a mentality change in favor of Turkey in some European countries if Turkey moves on with its reforms?

At least the process would not stop. Another thing is the Swedish takeover of the EU presidency. It is a great advantage for Turkey. Turkey should see that as well and use it.

Many observers say German Chancellor Merkel will be the winner following the national elections in Germany in September. Do you agree?

It's not clear with what partner, but she will certainly be the first. The question is whether or not she will be able to make it with the liberals. If not, the big and boring coalition of the [Christian Democratic Union of Germany] CDU plus the Social Democrats is likely to continue.

Is there a chance for a pro-Turkey coalition?

No. The Greens are the only ones who clearly advocate Turkey's accession. But keep in mind that Turkey has not made it easy for its friends with its current performance. The Greens wouldn't print posters for Turkey at the moment either.

Where is the difficulty?

For example, the new foreign minister of Turkey often speaks differently than the EU chief negotiator. This is also true for the officials in the government. One minister says that yes, they will continue the reform process. Then, the next day, another minister says it is the EU that needs to do its homework. [When it comes to concrete policies] there is no movement on the situation of the Halki Seminary or on the Kurdish question. There are mixed messages from the government on other issues as well. One day a government official says Turkey is better off without a deal with the [International Monetary Fund] IMF, and the next day, some other official says the opposite.