Egemen Bağış's Article is Published in "The Parliament Magazine"

Access All Areas

By Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağıþ

The end of the sixth year since Türkiye started its accession negotiations with the EU, is a good time to take a look at relations between Ankara and Brussels. Much has changed in the Union, and particularly in Türkiye, since its first EU bid, which dates back to 1959, and even since the start of the country's accession negotiations in 2005.

Within the accession process, Türkiye has undertaken significant reforms in a wide spectrum that ranges from rule of law and economy to fundamental freedoms and democracy. A judicial reform strategy and an anti-corruption strategy were launched. Progress was made regarding cultural rights, including the broadcasting of Turkish radio and television in Kurdish for 24 hours a day and radio broadcasting of TRT in Armenian. A parliamentary committee on equal opportunities for men and women was established. And the constitutional reform package was approved by a referendum which was held on 12 September, wiping off the remnants of the 1980 coup. This was followed by an ambitious action plan that will further align Türkiye with the EU acquis.

The changes have also penetrated daily life. A religious ceremony in the historical Sumela Monastery, after a lapse of 88 years, and still another in Surp Hac Armenian Church on Akdamar Island in Van, was welcomed by Türkiye's Christians as well as locals. A Roman opening was initiated by our government, addressing the issues of our Roman citizens.

However, political issues which have nothing to do with negotiations tend to dominate the entire process. Since 2005, 13 chapters were opened out of 35, and one is temporarily closed, while 18 chapters remain blocked for purely political reasons. Hence no matter what Türkiye does, we cannot achieve any progress in 18 chapters. Eight chapters are suspended due to the Cyprus problem on the negotiation process, and France is blocking the opening of five chapters because of their so-called "direct bearing on full membership". The Greek Cypriots have also blocked five more chapters unilaterally, displaying once more their abuse of EU membership through veto power. That leaves only three chapters for Ankara to open in the near future: competition policy, public procurement, and social policy and employment. But being blocked in Brussels does not mean that we will consent to being blocked in Ankara. The screening process, the progress reports and our own national programme makes it all too clear what needs to be done for alignment and that Türkiye is capable of doing it.

Given our own determination, we now have five expectations from the European Union. The first and foremost is a fair approach. We expect EU member states to act in full awareness of their commitments and not to discourage Türkiye on its path to membership. We must do away with political blockages that slow down and threaten the current negotiations. If no political obstacles are imposed, we could open 29 chapters, in the short or medium term. Second, we want more concrete cooperation in our fight against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and international terrorism. Terrorism is a direct threat to all our democracies. Third is the Cyprus issue. It is unfair that the Turkish relations with the EU should be hostage to that. It is just as unfair that the Turkish Cypriots, who have said yes to the Annan plan in 2004 should remain in isolation while the Greek Cypriots continue to abuse their membership as if they are the sole representatives of the island.

Fourth, the visa liberalisation should be realised with Türkiye. Citizens of non-European countries can enter the EU without visas but Turkish citizens still wait in line in front of the EU consulates. That is indeed the moment that Turks feel least like a European. Fifth, we, the candidate countries, would like to be invited to the EU summits, as had been the case before 2004. This would enable us to exchange views on areas of strategic cooperation. This would also be interpreted as a clear commitment to the enlargement process on the part of the EU, which is probably the strongest motivation to be given to the candidates. Türkiye believes that enlargement has been successful in the past and can be a success in the future, making the EU not only bigger, but politically and economically stronger. The message we want to convey to the Turkish and the European public is clear: the EU is stronger with Türkiye in it. We are aware that membership will not happen over night; but it can and should happen when the EU criteria for accession is fulfilled. Türkiye has the will and the European Union can make the way.

Please click for the Article