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REX 142
EU-TURKEY JCC
Brussels, 22 October 2003
ORIGINAL ENGLISH
16th meeting of the
EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee
Brussels, 3–4 November 2003
WORKING DOCUMENT
on
Turkey on the road to accessionRapporteur : Mr Salim USLU,
President of Hak-is Trade Union Confederation,
Member of the Turkish JCC
TURKEY ON THE ROAD OF ACCESSION TO EU
1)Introduction
2)Significance of European Preferences of Turkey
Background - Turkey’s Accession to EU
3)Significance of Economy in Accession to EU
4)Invisible Hand Regulating the EU Integration and Need for Mutual Political Will
5)Turkey’s Preparations for Accession
6)Benefits of Accession for Both Parties
APPENDICES
APPENDIX – 1: Benefits of Accession for Both Parties
APPENDIX – 2: Some Significant Milestones in Turkey – EU Relations
APPENDIX – 3: Some Basic Macro Indicators of Turkey
Bibliography
1.INTRODUCTION
This study titled “Turkey on the Road of Accession to EU” includes an evaluation of Turkey since its application to EU (EEC) and its reflections on the future with regard to the relation process in view of many aspects. It is clear that such an evaluation is direly needed by the social parties prior to the critical European Council Summits, taking the decisions regarding the enlargement. Actually, such comprehensive evaluations to be carried out frequently are very essential and beneficial for the purpose of underlining the relations, enhancing the relations and efforts, remedying the deficiencies and attaining a fresh excitement and motivation.
JCC, since its foundation, has expressed its will clearly and decisively to ensure that Turkey – EU relations can be concluded with the objective of accession. JCC has made its efforts, and set its discourses and objectives to this effect.
JCC even issued a declaration titled “Europe Suitable for the Undertaken Responsibilities & Turkey Suitable for Orienting to Europe” in its 5th Meeting held specially for this purpose in Brussels on 9March, 1998.
JCC emphasized in this declaration clearly that:
-it is required to Enhance Partnership Between EU and Turkey through;
-open and constructive dialogue, and
-responsible cooperation.
This report shall also point out the significant factors of a 42–year process that Turkey left behind in accession to EU accordingly, and express the determination for the objective of a common future.
2.SIGNIFICANCE OF EUROPEAN PREFERENCES OF TURKEY
It is obvious that Turkey has always made its preferences for Europe. These basic preferences of Turkey for EU were not that easy, and could not be achieved under easy conditions.
The whole world started to shape under the force of two super powers including Europe following the Second World War. Political, military, economic and social/ cultural organizations started to appear in Europe quickly just following the War. Turkey showed its approach on the basis of fundamental preferences from European Council (1949) through Korean War (1950), NATO (1951) and EEC Application (1959) as well as OECD (1961) Membership.
However, it should be acknowledged that there was Soviet containment and threat on three sides of Turkey from Bulgaria to Syria excluding Greece in this period. This bore great risks and dangers for Turkey. Therefore, it can easily be understood how conscious and decisive Turkey made its preferences for Europe. Nevertheless, Turkey has not been a member of EU yet. The application process of Turkey for candidacy is almost equal to the age of EU Integration. Basic characteristic of process in Turkey–EU relations has been dragging out.
Background – Turkey’s Accession to EU
The duration of membership application of Turkey to EU is about to break a historical record. It has become the longest application process of all times. If 2010 is selected from the most optimistic forecasts made for the membership of Turkey, duration of the application process shall become half a century.
When we review the historical progress of Turkey’s accession, we witness significant political, legal and economic developments.
We see that the relations started strongly with an agreement immediately after the application of Turkey to EEC. The objectives, method and content of the relation are expressed clearly in the Agreement. The objective for full membership at the end of 30 years was set forth obviously. However, the subsequent process was not accordingly. There arose significant interruptions. The primary factors determining and affecting the relations until 1990s as the level of economic development of Turkey. While the application of Turkey for full membership was suspended in 1989, the economic factor was among the remarkable reasons therewith.
However, changes were observed in the relations in parallel with the changes and developments in Europe following 1990s. Developments in the Eastern Europe following the collapse of Soviet Block at the very beginning of 1990s changed the factors determining the membership to EU with Maastricht. Copenhagen Criteria were adopted instead of economic priorities determining the relations. Acquis Communautaire mainly comprised of criteria for political, social and cultural rights and freedoms rather than the economic criteria.
Following Customs Union (CU) between Turkey and EU in early 1996, a further step was taken in the relations. Customs Union was deemed as an engagement for marriage. Especially Turkey regarded Customs Union this way. However, this engagement was resolved when the candidacy status was not granted to Turkey in Luxembourg in 1997 just after two years. The parties that would be granted the candidacy status made peace again in Helsinki in 1997 after two years, and the intention for marriage was expressed again.
After 1999 Helsinki Summit, EU issued Accession Partnership Document (2000) and Turkey issued the National Program (2000) revising both of them in March 2003 and July 2003 respectively. Meanwhile, the Commission has started to publish Turkey Annual Progress Reports since 1998. Turkey has speeded up to perform EU Reforms even partly since 1995. Turkey confirmed its determination for accession to EU clearly through adopting seven different EU Reform Packages in Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM). EU reform packages eliminated and overcame many taboos on the way of democratisation in Turkey. Afterwards, the priority of the Turkish Government formed following the elections on 3 November 2002 on EU and Cyprus in connection therewith is important to prove the commitment of Turkey to this process.
On the other hand, it is obvious that EU started to send positive messages for Turkey in Council Summits. In December 2000 Nice Summit, EU bypassed Turkey in Nice Treaty in which the institutional organization of EU was established until 2010, and in December 2001 Laeken Summit, it was mentioned to initiate negotiations with Turkey for full membership, and called Turkey to be a member of European Convention. Therefore, it is possible to emphasize that the respective Parties have made more ruled, decisive and objective–oriented efforts in the recent years. Lately it is stated that accession negotiations with Turkey will be decided on the condition of the fulfilment of Turkey the Copenhagen political criteria.
Many reasons may be indicated for the progress of this process in this way. However, it shall be possible and beneficial to point out the general approach of the parties beyond listing them all. In very general terms, it will not be wrong to emphasize that there is some hesitation and concern in the approach of the parties to each other. The concerns of Turkey seem mainly arising from the fact that it is conscious that it has to change its habits.
In addition, the European Model has been developing by allowing the people to do whatever they wish to do, in other words to expand their freedom and mitigating their tensions. But, it is possible to state that Turkey is suspicious of some developments. Because Turkey is still under the influence of collapse of the Ottoman Empire due to autonomies and separations.
More particular reason underlying the concerns of the Europe is the failure to establish a sort of European Union objective, shape and scope since the beginning. In addition, another subconscious concern of Europe is the experience of Turkey in Europe and failure of Turkey to enter into relations with institutional and cultural models of Europe. Turkish public and the governments impressed that they regarded American models rather than European models for reference and example.
3.SIGNIFICANCE OF ECONOMY IN ACCESSION TO EU
It is known that the information process of EU developed mainly in economic aspect until the early 1990s. EU was already called as the European Economic Community (EEC) until Maastricht. This affected the Turkey – EU relations accordingly. Therefore, the economic problems of Turkey and issues in economic aspect were in the agenda. The application for membership by Turkey in 1987 was refused due to some economic problems in 1989.
However, it is known that Turkey has made significant progress in economy. For this purpose, it shall be beneficial to express the economic situation of Turkey with some historical milestones from 1959 up to now.
When we compare the macro economic data between 1959 when Turkey applied to EEC and today (2002), it is observed that Turkey has been in an unbelievable economic development. For instance, while the National Income Per One Person in Turkey was only $520, this is around $3,000 in 2000s in spite of crises. Accordingly, it is observed that the economic development rate was 3.4%, but today it has reached up to 9%. This indicates an economic effort and dynamism. Another issue is the urbanization. In parallel with the economic development of Turkey, a rapid progress has been made in urbanization. The urbanization that was 32% in 1970s, reached up to 60.9%, which is twice the former rate.
While the export of Turkey was $400 million in 1960s, it has reached up to $80 – $100 billion today. There is a very important point to be stressed in this whole process. This point is that this development of Turkey is based on self-resources and dynamism. The rate of foreign investments in Turkey is very low. For example, while the foreign investments were $24 million in 1960, this was only $775 million in 1995. Nevertheless, the foreign debt of Turkey has increased in this process. The foreign debts return to Turkey not as assistance, but overwhelmingly as interest.
4.INVISIBLE HAND REGULATING THE EU INTEGRATION AND NEED FOR MUTUAL POLITICAL WILL
In spite of all these developments, it should be acknowledged that an advance step has been achieved in Turkey–EU relations today.
We should not imagine the status of Turkey in the future, but the photo of EU with Turkey in the future as imagined by David Banchard.
We observe that an invisible power, hand or will just like the invisible hand of Adam Smith interfered with the milestones of Europe from its foundation until its situation today.
-Formation of Germany – France axis
-Acceptance of England following rejections
-Continuation of expansion
-Granting candidacy to 13 countries
-Adopting Single Market
-Shifting from European Community to EU
-Adopting Single Currency
At this stage, the requirement for the reappearance of this secret will is acknowledged to eliminate the vagueness of EU photo. This will arose in Helsinki and it must make its influences now. It is acknowledged that there will always be a deficiency and astringency in EU without Turkey.
Turkey–EU relations developed away from the factor of assurance. Event the concluded treaties could not be the address for assurance. The treaties did not feature binding and assuring in this regard.
For example, EU granted candidacy status to 12 countries in Luxembourg. Candidacy status is a guarantee for such countries. Afterwards, Turkey was granted the candidacy status in Helsinki. However, it is understood that there is not any guarantee in view of the discussions made up to now. Furthermore, the full membership of Turkey was registered with Ankara Treaty in 1963. Nevertheless, this register was annulled and rejected firstly in 1989 and then in 1997 in Luxembourg. Later on while Copenhagen Summit of December 2002 sets the membership dates for all candidate countries, it failed to do so for Turkey.
5.TURKEY'S PREPARATIONS FOR ACCESSION
The preparations of Turkey for accession to EU are on the foreground. The essence of the preparations of Turkey is the need of Turkey for intellectual revolution. It is not difficult to observe the meaning of this intellectual revolution for Turkish citizens in practice. Higher living standard means almost perfect regional security.
The essence on preparations in EU lies on the demonstration of an extensive European will. For this purpose, the parties must focus on how to construct the future and a peaceful region. The photo of Europe must be reflected to the Caucasus through the Mediterranean Sea. This objective is not surprising. Because a similar scenario prepared for France and Germany was as surprising as this one before the first steps were taken for the integration of Europe. This scenario is not exaggerating, but actually the vision of EU for the future.
Recent Developments, Turkey’s adoption Acquis and the Standing of Turkish Civil Society
It is observed that the APD, National Programme, 2nd APD and the 2nd National Programme play a decisive and constructive role in finalising the membership of Turkey.
EU clarified its expectations from Turkey. In return Turkey gets rid of its deficiencies in the political, economic and social fields substantially.
Seven reform Packages of Turkey in this respect has solved the problems of Turkish politics in legal framework. Among them education in mother tongue, role of army and the lifting the execution can be listed.
Showing the same decisive attitude for economic and social questions by Turkey will finalise the process successively.
Turkish civil society are backing the resolute attitude of Turkey towards reforms. It is extremely important to see that both the Government and the civil society altogether put the joint resolute policy to complete the reform process as quickly as possible through the meeting of the Turkish Economic and Social Council convened in June 2003 exclusively on EU-Turkey Relations.
6.BENEFITS OF ACCESSION FOR BOTH PARTIES
It is clear that EU Membership of Turkey will provide significant benefits for both parties. Above all, all of these benefits are not only conjectural, but also permanent. These fields comprise of politics and security and further an extensive range including economic, social and cultural aspects. Half of the total advantages to be attained by EU through expansion to the Eastern Europe shall be provided by only Turkey in case of a comparison.
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DI CESE 105/2003 EN/o
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APPENDIX 1 – CONTRIBUTIONS OF MEMBERSHIP FOR BOTH PARTIES
A) BENEFITS OF TURKEY’S EU FULL MEMBERSHIP TO EU
Political Issues and Security
1-EU Membership of Turkey shall significantly contribute to the defence policies and regional stability of EU.
2-Full membership shall contribute to the protection of strategic interests with regard to the energy resources of EU.
3-Turkey – Greece relations that are expected to develop in a more positive way following the EU membership of Turkey shall contribute to the internal and external policies of EU.
4-With the full membership of Turkey, Aegean Sea shall be an inland sea of EU. Governing position shall be attained in the Black Sea and this in turn shall result enhancing effects on the strategic interests of EU.
5-European – Mediterranean Sea Partnership as well as the role of Turkey in Southeast Europe and around Caucasus as the full member shall produce significant benefits with regard to both economy and politics.
6-EU membership of Turkey shall produce benefits for the expansion of EU Trans – European Networks.
7-Full membership of Turkey shall contribute to the efficiency of EU policies with regard to Justice and Domestic Affairs.
Economic Issues
8-With the EU membership of Turkey, the expansion of EU market shall significantly contribute to the EU economy.
9-Full liberalization in services and public procurement following the full membership shall provide direct investments and significant advantages for EU companies.
10-Competition in EU arising from the full membership shall contribute to the EU economy and in particular to the consumers.
11-With the full membership of Turkey, it shall be beneficial for EU when Turkey keeps up with EU standards in environment and social policy.
12-After the full membership of Turkey, EU companies shall have advantageous positions in Middle Eastern, Russian and Middle Asian markets.
Social Issues
13-Young population of Turkey shall play an important role to maintain the economic dynamism within EU.
14-Full membership of Turkey to EU shall be effective in solving certain problems in EU labour markets.
Cultural Issues
15-EU Membership of Turkey shall prove that the Union is not a “religious club”, but a union of values.
16-Full membership of Turkey shall affect positively the cultural relations and approach of EU with/ to the Near and Middle East.
B)BENEFITS OF EUROPEAN UNION TO TURKEY
Political Issues and Security
1-Full membership of European Union shall increase the international political efficiency of Turkey.
2-The full membership shall enhance the defence and security policies of Turkey. Turkey shall become the full member of BAB and AGSP (European Security and Defence Policy).
3-The position of Turkey as an existing “role model” for Middle Eastern countries shall enhance more following the full membership, and its significance shall increase in the region.
4-EU membership of Turkey shall enhance the progress of democracy and place it on more sound grounds.
5-As a result of full membership of Turkey, Turkey’s inclusion in Justice and Domestic Affairs policies of EU shall strengthen the fight against terrorism, drugs and illegal immigrations.
Economic Issues:
6-Compliance with technical legislation of European Union following the full membership shall increase the competitiveness of Turkish companies.
7-EU membership of Turkey shall ensure the country to protect its economic interests in international platform more easily.
8-With the full membership, sustainable stability shall be ensured in economic and financial policies and transparency shall be achieved in Turkey.
9-Full membership to EU shall ensure that political, economic and bureaucratic impediments before the foreign investments are eliminated, and the foreign investments increase significantly.
10-The full membership shall contribute to enhance the sense of quality, and create positive effect on the consumer in Turkey.
11-The full membership shall play an important role to advance science and technology.
12-EU full membership of Turkey shall contribute to the reform in agricultural sector.