Editorial
Turkey and Europe : O rage! O despair!
Turkey's friends sometimes lose hope! To them it is obvious that the country belongs in the European Union. It has been a part of European history since Antiquity. As of the Vienna Congress, it has been part of the Concert of nations. More recently, it played a particularly important role in defending the West during the Cold War. As a member of NATO, it shielded Europe from the Soviet threat. An important part of its territory geographically lies on the European continent. Even more importantly, when looking for inspiration as regards its institutions, Turkey has constantly looked at Europe since 1923. It adopted the Latin alphabet, became a republican and non religious state, as well as a democracy – although perhaps not a perfect one.
Facing these positive arguments there is a negative one that counterbalances them: is it in Europe's best interest to push aside such an important neighbour, that is so unique on a cultural standpoint? Turkey is a chance unhoped for to show anyone who wants to hear it that Europe is not the realm of Christianity, but that is goes beyond religious divisions to ensure that its peoples live in harmony, peacefully and prosperously. "Pax Europaea" may just be a short truce between two wars if Turkey stands aside. And who knows, this truce may have been jeopardised by 9/11. To sum up, the religious factor could become a source of conflict if it turns into an organisating principle of the European Union.
It so happens that the Turkish government is currently showing its lack of diplomatic savoir-faire. In addition to the Cypriot problem and the delicate question of the Armenian genocide, Turkey faces trouble with intellectuals and journalists who are often sued for criticising Kemalism, the official doctrine of the Turkish republic. To Western observers, such trials are aberrations and a refusal of freedom of expression. The question now is this: which one prevails between Kemalist tradition and the attraction for Europe? It is becoming urgent for all the friends of Turkey to suggest paths of evolution for the Kemalist thought, in order to make it compatible with the elements of a modern democracy.
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- Origin CERMAM
- http://www.cermam.org/en/logs/editorial/turkey_and_europe_o_rage_o_des_1/
- Publié le 13 February 2007