Reykjavík Grapevine - 14.01.2005, Blaðsíða 8

THE CONTROVERSIAL MARRIAGE BETWEEN
ANKARA AND BRUSSELS
In October 2005 negotiations will start on Turkey’s accession to the
European club. Given its size, its relative poverty and its Muslim
population, taking on Turkey will be the most challenging enlarge-
ment project in the EU’s history.
Turkey has obvious strategic and economic potential, but in a period
marked by discourses about the place of Islam in Europe and the
dangers of a “clash of cultures”, there is also growing scepticism. The
EU has swallowed one major expansion, and is considering another
even more ambitious. How will different member states and citizens
react to this controversial future marriage?
penal code in line with European
standards, not with the Islamic law.
To weigh up the advantages of the
EU’s project for Turkey’s possible
entry is a very difficult task. How
would Europe change with Turkey’s
entry? Could it acquire a real
strategic power, necessary for facing
up to its future challenges? The
solution for the Turkish dilemma
could also be found in answering this
question.
Three Pro-Turkish factors
Contrary to the arguments expressed
before, some voices in Europe say
that everyone wins if Turkey joins
the EU. Therefore, the advantages
of Turkey’s membership, both for
Turkey itself and for the Union,
need to be analysed clearly and
concisely.
1. A geopolitical mutation
Europe is first and foremost a
human project. Currently, debates
concentrate on what Turkey actually
is: whether it is part of Europe
or not, its population, its Muslim
heritage and its level of economic
development. But geopolitical stakes
are also important. Turkey occupies
a pivotal position between Europe
and Asia. Turkey joined NATO
in 1952. Now that the EU has
enlarged to the East, why not accept
Turkey which would give the Union
a foothold in Asia and the Middle
East? Substantial hydrocarbon and
oil reserves recently discovered in
the Caspian region will only increase
Turkey’s strategic importance.
2. A closer union between different
peoples
Demography will also be a
significant factor. Turkey has a
young and dynamic population
in contrast to the other European
countries. Turkish membership will
positively change the demography
of Europe and reinforce the spirit of
enterprise and the market economy,
contributing to prosperity.
3. The clash of civilizations:
Just say no
The EU’s founding fathers wanted
to bring peace to the continent
through an ever closer union
between peoples. At a time when
some discuss a ‘clash of civilisations’
and a new religious war, allowing
Turkey, a Muslim country, to join
the Union would refute once and
for all such dangerous theories. The
EU has an historic opportunity to
substitute the ‘clash of civilisations’
with an attitude of rapprochement
between peoples. Firstly, by offering
a positive model to the 11 million
Muslim Europeans on living
together, proving the ability of a
modern and peaceful Islam to act
against divisions caused by terrorism
or regional conflict. Secondly, by
demonstrating that the EU could
be a model for the whole world,
a structure which can integrate
Nation States and peoples with
very diverse histories and cultures.
Thirdly, by allowing the Union to
play a much more important role
than it does today in finding peaceful
resolutions to the world’s conflicts,
thus contributing to global stability
and the development of democracy,
human rights and greater economic
equality.
Against Membership by Force
Turkey’s entry is not primarily
a question of acceptance into a
strategic diplomatic union, or some
kind of commercial pact, but one of
sharing a common destiny. Turkey’s
candidacy is different simply because
our fellow citizens feel it is, and this
must be taken into account.
The automatic opening of
negotiations amounts to saying to
European citizens that their concerns
don’t matter. Turkey is a very
different kind of candidate and one
should not overlook European public
opinion. In my view, the question
of holding referenda on this issue
cannot be automatically eliminated
by our governments. Europeans
need to be properly informed and
consulted.
by Elvira Mendez
The European Council has already
decided Turkey’s fate. On December
17th 2004, 25 governments agreed
that negotiations would start,
although with no guarantee of
accession, if Turkey respected the
Copenhagen Criterion set in 1993.
Three Anti-Turkish Factors
So what are the obstacles for the
opening of negotiations if the ‘big
countries’ of the EU do not seem
to block Turkey’s entrance? Firstly,
there is the problem of the European
public opinion which opposes
Turkey’s entry.
Secondly, there is the so-called
‘Avalanche Effect’. Until now, few
voices have said ‘No’ openly. But
some new factors could provide fuel
for a fire in Brussels against Ankara’s
ambitions.
The final problem is the recent
failed move by Turkey’s government
to re-introduce the penalization
of adultery in a project which was
supposed to bring the Turkish
ICELANDERS IN RUSSIA:
Bringing more than beer
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Icelandic
MÍR or Menningarsamband Íslands og Rússlands
(the Russo-Icelandic Cultural Association) didn’t have
any contact organization in Russia. There were only
individuals willing to help in the cultural cooperation of
these two countries. That is, until the meeting of the
Icelandic club in Moscow was held a few days before
Christmas inviting people interested in Icelandic culture
and can be described as a Russian parallel to MÍR. The
purpose of this organization is cultural exchange and
cooperation between Russia and Iceland.
For the “initiated,” Iceland is first of all the land of
the Sagas and Halldór Laxness, since many of his
novels – as well as the Sagas – have been translated
into Russian. But for an average Russian the toponym
“Iceland” doesn’t seem to ring any bells. This brings us
to the other purpose of Iceland Club, namely informing
Russians about Iceland and Icelandic culture. It also
aims at making travel between Iceland and Russia more
accessible. Iceland Club has a webpage
(www.icelandclub.ru) which is in Russian and contains
information about Iceland and announcements of coming
events in the club.
by Olga Markelova
Laugavegur 69, 101 Rvk
551-7955
Ash-Wednesday Feb 9th
www.hokuspokus.is
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