Wilczek: Turkish economic strength, social development would strengthen EU

In an interview with Today’s Zaman, the Polish diplomat highlighted that Poland was the first country to recognize Turkey as a state and was quick in sending a diplomat to Ankara -- the first ambassador to physically be in the new capital after the establishment of the Turkish Republic. “Even the embassy building is an illustration of outstanding relations between Poland and Turkey throughout history,” Wilczek commented on what he believes to be one of the most beautiful Polish embassies around the world, boasting the well-preserved features of a typical old Polish mansion from the 1930s.

“My first predecessor [Skarbek z Gory i Grzegorz Ormianin] came to Bursa in 1414 with a letter from the Polish king,” Wilczek said of the first establishment of diplomatic ties between the ancestors of present-day Turkey and Poland, established almost 600 years ago. Since then, diplomatic relations have remained in good form as both were “big European powers in the 17th century with the greatest chapters of our histories [having been] written in that period,” and the current level of common understanding and respect between the two peoples remains a reflection of that past. “We recognize that we were very close, Krakow and İstanbul. [The] two previous capitals were not so far away from each other after all.”

No stranger to Turkey

Wilczek was no stranger to Turkey when he came to İstanbul for his first posting at the Consulate General of Poland in 2005. As his father was posted to İstanbul in the late 1970s, Wilczek spent years of his childhood in Turkey and has ample memories from the past as well as a striking command of the Turkish language that he said was easier to learn as a child. Wilczek also spoke of the similarities between Poland and Turkey that made the diplomatic ties so vital and far-reaching. “When other European countries were going down, Poland still grew, and [did] with 4 percent this year. In that aspect, we are very similar to Turks, who are not afraid of going into business and risking and preserving the[ir] entrepreneurship in the meantime.” The ambassador identified another similarity between the countries that displays a profound likeness in their internationalism. “You would find a Pole anywhere in the world, as you would find a Turk or a kebab shop,” Wilczek said of the dynamic Polish population that spread all over the world for mostly political reasons.

Although Poland now holds the six-month rotating presidency of the EU, Wilczek stated that it has not been an easy journey for his country, either, but he believes that Turkey belongs with the rest of Europe, just as Poland belongs. “Communism was never a system that was accepted by the Polish people, so they subsequently protested against the regime starting from 1956 in Poznan,” the ambassador said of the regime that eventually collapsed more than 20 years ago and led to the difficult process of the reintegration of Poland back into Western Europe.

“We realized that being alone, although we are a big country ourselves, is not a solution in globalizing Europe,” Wilczek offered, citing the similarity between Poland and Turkey in their perceptions regarding the EU bloc. “We wanted to multiply our role in Europe by going for EU membership,” which in the end, Wilczek believed, benefitted both parties and defied the pre-accession rhetoric of a loss of national pride under the weight of EU accession criteria. The ambassador expressed a belief that such fears lay with those who were not well informed of what they would have after they joined the bloc.

The Polish ambassador also advocated Turkey’s rightful place in Europe, being a country with an historical legacy and richness that feeds into European culture in many ways. “In fact, the beginning of the Christian church is in today’s Turkey; the ancient culture of Europe was born here,” Wilczek said of the importance of Turkey for Europe, as home to the fundamentals of European culture. “Europe did so much with Turks or against Turks, but somehow the country was fundamental in shaping European history,” he reiterated to reinforce that the continent is ready to accommodate Turkey following its entry into the bloc.

As stated among the priorities of the Presidency Programme of Poland that was made public when the country assumed the EU presidency this summer, Wilczek confirmed that his country was looking to enhance Turkish progression down the EU road. The program states that “we shall seize every opportunity to promote the continuation of accession negotiations with Turkey,” with a particular emphasis that Turkey has a long road ahead before the country may finally become a member of the European bloc. Commenting on the Polish perspective of Turkish membership, Wilczek added that “Modern Turkey, economically strong and socially developed, would strengthen the EU.”

Turkey and Poland share similar experiences on route to EU accession

Touching on the rotating presidency of the 27-member bloc being currently in Poland, Wilczek expressed hope that Poland may gain more visibility in this six-month period, but he also noted that the term of presidency was too short to make any radical difference. “You are able to put some accent [to influence the political mood] during presidency, but you are not supposed to pursue your [own] interest[s],” Wilczek stated as he drew a similarity between the EU presidency and a football team captainship. “You are not supposed to do what is your conception, but you are trying to pull the team together with a common goal in mind.”

Although Poland is now comfortably placed within the EU bloc and enjoying the benefits of membership, the Polish ambassador explained that such was not always the case. “I still remember the admission period for us; it was painful and it brought tears to our eyes at some moments,” Wilczek jokingly commented, as he insisted that the process is troublesome especially for the people of a country as they fear the changes that will happen in their lives and the outcome of the criteria their country needs to meet before they can be accepted. Wilczek said Poland had a relatively easier time placating the public mood against EU membership, with all parliamentary political bodies united for the goal of accession and with the media supporting membership as well. “People do not know [the facts about EU membership],” the ambassador said as he laid the responsibility on the media to shape public opinion accurately. He also confessed criticisms of Turkish media for a partial blindness regarding Turkey’s bid for the EU.

“Important things happen, but you see none of them in [the] media here,” he suggested as he pointed out the billions of euros of which Turkey is the recipient as part of a pre-accession fund. “All over the country, [the] EU is running projects to improve Turkish life, but nobody knows about it, except for those who put up billboards for projects and others who read them,” the ambassador commented.

Wilczek also advocated a lifting of spirits in Turkey before the country can fully gear up for accession, noting recent polls that revealed 60 percent of Turks want to join the EU, but only 30 percent of them believed they will. “It is difficult for me to understand; if you want to do something, you should believe it is possible,” the ambassador added and said Turkey will need to comply with the criteria and become a member eventually. “Turkey is such a big, proud country with such a huge legacy and history, but [unmet] criteria [for EU membership] are still there, and the question is whether the country will fulfill them,” the ambassador said in the hope that Turkey will undertake this difficult mission.

‘Years before worries subsided’

“[The] biggest problem for Poland at the time was Polish agriculture, the size of which scared Western Europe, and in return scared Polish farmers that they [would] die out if we joined the EU,” Wilczek said, echoing similar concerns in Turkey. The ambassador said the Polish people were relieved when none of their fears came true, but it took years before worries subsided. “The sheer size of Turkey for some nations can be a problem, with İstanbul accounting for five to six EU member countries, population-wise,” the ambassador indicated, matching concerns on the part of EU countries, which also displayed a similar fear of Polish workers when their country first applied for membership.

In the prospect of Turkish membership in the EU, Wilczek pointed out that the country would be the new border of the union, which meant that Turkey had to bolster its border protection. “We also bordered non-EU bloc countries like Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, which officially had no interest of joining the union, so it was up to us to draw the border line,” the diplomat pointed out. The ambassador also noted that EU countries have their own eurozone issues to deal with right now, and in light of these developments, any disruption to the process with Turkey should be prevented. “For hundreds of years we were complimenting each other, and it is not something we can give up today,” the ambassador remarked in enthusiasm for Turkey’s place within the bloc. “I have a particularly positive approach [to Turkey’s membership] because I remember how it worked in Poland, and I see the similarities.”

The ambassador also spoke of his aspirations in Turkey to increase trade and boost the level of official contact. Turkish President Abdullah Gül traveled to Warsaw and the two countries mutually hosted a group of officials, an act which the ambassador hoped would give impetus to further contact between the countries. “Relations are in good shape,” Wilczek noted and wished for Turkey’s entry in the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, which is projected to be mutually hosted by Poland and Ukraine next year. “I hope that Turkey will qualify; it will be another opportunity to show Poland to the most influential group in Turkey -- the football supporters,” the ambassador, also a keen football supporter, added with a laugh.

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Polish and Turkish relations supported by student mobility

Polish Ambassador Marcin Wilczek admitted his astonishment when he came to Turkey as a diplomat and saw the number of exchange students between Poland and Turkey. “It was surprising when I realized how intense and extensive the exchange is between Poland and Turkey, student-wise,” Wilczek noted, referring to the Erasmus exchange program, an EU initiative that enables university students to spend a semester of their education in European countries.

Although the scope of the program covers all European countries as well as Turkey and other candidate countries, Poland and Turkey have traditionally been favorite destinations for each other for the last few years. Wilczek explained the heavy traffic between the countries was influenced by the mutual respect and historical ties the countries have enjoyed for centuries as well as a match in the quality of education on both sides.

“Exchange between young people is particularly interesting and positive because it builds the future,” the ambassador commented, as he believes that students who are now participants in the Erasmus Programme will grow up to be placed in high institutions in the future, and with a good perception and knowledge of both nations, prosperous bilateral relations will result.

“We host here in May an Erasmus gathering with incoming and outgoing students between Turkey and Poland, and it is always a full party,” Wilczek said and exclaimed that it was funny for him to hear young Turks and Poles using each other’s slang terms. “[The] exchange program builds a network of contacts and common understanding, which will definitely be more valuable when they start their careers.” The ambassador also noted that the program is a voluntary initiative that shows people’s cultural curiosity and desire to venture further and learn more about one another. Turkey is also a popular destination for half a million Polish tourists each year, who travel all over the country to learn more about the culture.