Azerbaijan, Baku, October 9 / Trend , E.Ostapenko /
Discussions about changing the foreign policy of Turkey, the main point of which is the country's integration into the European Union, do not have grounds. However, Turkey's way into the EU can be compared with the tunnel in the end of which the light is not visible, experts say.
"At present, Turkey is walking along with an endless tunnel in the direction of Europe," expert at George Washington University (USA) Merve Kavakchi, dealing with the issue of European integration of Turkey, told Trend via e-mail.
On Wednesday, during press conference prior to departure to Paris, Turkish President Abdullah Gul highlighted the possibility of Turkey's refusal from the integration plans into the European Union.
"Perhaps in the future Turkey will not want to become a member of the EU and go in Norway's way," said Gul.
During the discussion on Norway's membership to the EU, citizens of this country opposed against the entrance to this structure. As a result, despite that Norway complies with European standards, it is not a member of the Union.
The process of EU membership is a vital issue for Turkey, said Kavakchi, a former member of the Turkish Parliament. Despite that for the ethnic, religious, economic relations, Turkey is one of the most advanced countries in the Middle East region, it is not part of this region. Kavakchi explains this saying that the ideology of the Turkish Republic has always been directed towards Europe.
Relations and cooperation between Turkey and the EU began with the signing of the Ankara agreement in 1964. EU said that the 2002 Copenhagen criteria are essential in Turkey's membership. The country carried out serious reforms in the legal, political and economic spheres in accordance with these criteria.
Since 2005, the sides began formal discussions regarding Turkey's entrance to the EU. They are currently at an impasse because of the unwillingness of many European countries to accept to EU the country that has the problems with human rights, but also because of Turkey's refusal to recognize Cyprus as an EU member and open transport connection with it.
"The statement by President Gul should be seen in the light of negative reaction that Turkey receive from the European Union, particularly in France, Germany, Austria and some other countries that are against Turkish accession, said Fadi Hakura. However it will not entail genuine policy reversal in Turkey's desire to join the European Union."
"I think it was more emotional statement than a statement of policy," Hakura, Chatham House Royal Institute of International Affairs, told Trend by telephone from London.
Gul's emotional statement is understandable, said the leading expert of the Finnish Institute of International Relations, Igor Torbakov.
Over the time since 1964 - the year of the signing of the Ankara Declaration - dozens of countries that started their way to Europe much later are already in the EU, said Torbakov. These include both former people's democratic countries and the countries of former Warsaw Pact.
According to Torbakov, Turkish people are proud and in case of difficulties with Brussels they immediately say: "Friends, you do not want to see us in your club - we have another way. Turkey needs Europe as much as Europe needs Turkey".
It is considered that Turkey's accession to the EU would entail the mutual economic benefit. Ankara significantly expands the EU internal market and provides workforce to the European companies suffering from the rapid aging of the indigenous population. Additional benefit could be that the Turks have no problem with the skills, education and understanding of the secular traditions of Europe.
The same game will continue in the near perspective, Torbakov told Trend by telephone from Helsinki. Turkey will not make any decisive steps in the near future and will not stop its process of accession. Gul's statement is the continuation of this long game.
A cardinal point of view is held by the leader of the Turkish opposition Great Unity Party, Yalchin Topchu, considering that the Turkish government must understand that entrance to the EU is an unrealizable desire for Turkey.
"The Turkish government should understand that Turkey will never be the EU member. The project of Turkey's accession to the EU was originally proposed to Turkey for its blackmail," Topchu told Trend by telephone from Ankara.
Negotiations on Turkey's entrance to the EU are going on slowly. Yet only one of 35 points was removed - political requirements that must be fulfilled before the country can join the Union, which unites 27 states.
In 2006, EU governments froze the talks on six points, since Turkey refused to open its ports and airports for cargo and passengers from the part of Cyprus controlled by Greek Cypriots.
"The impact on Turkey can be minimized if we can convince ourselves we have the necessary resources to enhance our economic and democratic standards," said Burcu Gultekin-Punsmann, Analyst on Foreign Policy at TEPAV Center for Studies in Ankara.
EU membership of Turkey - a country with a Muslim majority - is prevented by France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and some other European countries.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has publicly questioned the right of Turkey to join the EU, pointing to the geographical situation of this country, which stretches from south-eastern Europe to Asia Minor. Opponents of Turkey's accession to the EU also often raise the question of what would happen if 70 million Muslims become citizens of the EU.
R.Hafizoglu contributed to the article.
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