This article describes the desire of Turkish foreign policy to be the permanent member of European Union. The Turkish identity is being questioned because if we look at the root of Turkish cultural point, we can find that there is a significant different between Turkey and European countries. Turkey has an Arabian culture which symbolized the islam value although Turkey is secular country, comparing to the European Union that has Judeo Christian. But, in oreder to find the benefits in political and economic interest, Turkish foreign policy believe that it would be very important to join European Union and become closer to the east. Beside those two reasons, Turkish foreign policy also see the chance for solvng their problem with US by becoming the permanent member of EU.
In 1959 Turkey and Greece gave their first application to join EU. The application is purposed to maintain the strong ties with west by participating in economic, politic, and military institutions. There was a great step for Turkey when she assigned The Ankara Agreement between EU. The agreement was a historical and the most productive step after Turkish effort in 150 years to westernaize and becme equal with western nationa. It also showed that EU emphasize their commitment with Turkey.
EU requires three important points to the country who wants to become their permanent member. These are : 1. Must be a European country, 2. Democracy, and 3. Have market economy. In the other hand, EU seemed believe that Turkey will be potential for economic and politic, and also good to counter the Soviet influence. But the fact showed that the agreement between Turkey and EU gives more harm than good for Turkey stability, especially in economic. The agreement was so controversial because there was a serious debate among political parties and academic circles. They, Justice party and Republican People party who agree with this agreement stand for political reason. In other hand, the “No” groups such as leftist, nationalist, and islamist think about the negative impact of the agreement, although they are in the same line to make Turley get closer to the west. Turkey also has military problem and democracy issue that make EU think Turkey need to be democratic. Turkey see what kind of action that implemented by EU as an interference and believe that Turkish problem is their internal business. Beside, Turkey also hard to ignore that they have psychological crisis seeing EU received the application of Greece.
Analyzing the problem of Turkey and EU, I can say that it will be not effective for both sides. Why? First, we can see from Turkish condition. Turkey, from what kind of point of view that we use, is not a real European. Turkey has a dominance culture which is Arabic and most people are moslem. It will give a new challenge for Turkey to adapt the European culture. They have to force themselves to westernize their life as European country and leave their real culture. It will make a new problem because the society will be dilemma, wheter they will say hello to European culture or not. Second, Turkish population are moslem and has different value with European Christian values. It becomes the big challenge remembering that both side are in the different pont of view and there might be a clash if Turkey come as the member of European Union. Third, it showed that Turkey got negative impacts in economics especially the declining of export because of Ankara agreement with EU.
For EU itself, Turkey maybe one of the important things and an indicator that EU has succeed as a strong and good regional organization. But, is it rally benefit for EU to add Turkey as their permanent member? Until no, there is no sure decision from EU to add Turkey as their permanent member. If we take a look at the case of Greece and Ireland financial crisis where EU have to bailed out to safe both countries from collapse, we can say that it’s a possibility if EU still in doubt to receive the Turkey application. It’s because EU don’t want to replay the cases of Greece and Ireland.
I believe that it’s better for Turkey to stand independently and use their own resources for their benefits. Beside, the can also get closer to middle east countries that have similar cultural and will give a better effect than EU.
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