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Alliance" or "Clash" of civilizations?El Pais Spain | JOSEP BORRELL
The European Council decided earlier this month to begin talks with Turkey on membership of the European Union. Prior to this, the European Parliament had voted in favor by 407 to 262 (with 29 abstentions) on admitting Turkey. We are witnessing a historic moment. Sitting between Europe and Asia, and at the crossroads of history, Turkey is not just any candidate: its future incorporation, or not, into the EU will impact either on the so-called clash of civilizations that some insist on provoking, or on the alliance of civilizations that many of us desire as the guarantee of shared peace and progress.
The Turkish question has divided Europeans as they seek to understand the geographic, historical, and political boundaries of Europe. For many years, we have avoided the issue. The existence of the Soviet Bloc provided the answer: the Iron Curtain imposed our frontiers. Its disappearance has forced us to look at the aims and ambitions of an EU that some would like to see reduced in size.
In search of an answer to these questions, Turkey has found itself at the center of a passionate debate in which the European Parliament has much to say. And in the long-run, its agreement will be essential if Turkey is to be admitted. Europe's citizens must know this. During my recent visit to Turkey, which took me to Istanbul and Diyarbakir, I have seen first-hand how important it is to fight against our mutual stereotypes, caricatures and historic misunderstandings. Some here fear a Turkish invasion - not in the historic sense, but simply as a result of demographics. Meanwhile, in Turkey, the mere mention of Cyprus and Kurdistan in some sectors is enough to provoke anger, passion and controversy.
During my visit I had the opportunity to see just how deeply Turkish society is involved in the process. All the people I have spoken to - whether in politics, business, human rights, trades unions or Islam - share the country's European vocation.
It is also true that some parts of society reject membership of the EU. But it is Turkey's more progressive politicians who are the most enthusiastic supporters of entry: they know that without these talks, the reform process will flounder or even come to a halt. The Kurdish community in particular sees membership as the best opportunity to end the violence, and to win recognition of their identity.
In any event, we should all be aware that beginning talks is but the first step in a long process, which will not necessarily lead to membership. Furthermore, the European Parliament believes that certain conditions should be applied to the negotiation process. Serious violations of civil and human rights could prompt suspension of talks.
It is important to remember that for the last five years, Turkey has been implementing major reforms, although there is still much to be done - much more than Turkey realizes. It is hardly worth pointing out that the talks between my own country, Spain, lasted 11 years, while Poland only joined 15 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Despite the approval of the entire council on initiating talks, the Turkish question has sparked hostility among some member-states. Most of these arguments are based on the fact that the country is overwhelmingly Muslim. But it should be remembered that the modern Turkish state was founded as a lay state, and remains to this day the best example of how democracy and Islam are compatible.
This is why, whatever the outcome of the process that is about to begin, we have to make clear that the EU will not be redefining its borders on the basis of a "clash of civilizations," and that there are no religious frontiers involved. Europe is not, and should never be, a Christian Club. Neither should Turkey be rejected because its population is largely Muslim.
Our idea of Europe is that of a union based on universal values such as democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, as well as fundamental freedoms.In this context, it is vital to assess the conditions required for Turkey's admission to the EU. Turkey's membership raises the question as to what we want for Europe. Above all, the entry of Turkey should not come at the cost of the EU ceding its role as a key international player; on the contrary, it should reinforce this role. Some regard this as impossible: the entry of Turkey into the EU would effectively be a contradiction in terms, and would spell the end of the organization's ability to influence international events. Others argue that Turkey's membership is vital if Europe is to play a leading role in the world via its relationship with an Islamic country, and develop a policy that is radically different, say, to that of Washington's in the Middle East.
On the other hand, the issue remains of Turkey's vast size, its population, and the chronic poverty of its rural areas. Before the long process of talks begins, a democratic debate is needed. Yet Turkey should be a priority for the European Parliament, because relations with the Islamic world will be the main issue affecting the future of Europe.
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