The last days of 2007 have witnessed the final demise of the iron curtain of the communist era, as the Schengen area was enlarged to include nine new countries. It should be considered as one of the most important steps to the New Europe, a united Europe after communism, one of the EU’s main goals. Following this, Slovenia has taken the reins of the current EU term presidency, whose importance lies not only in being the presidency of a former communist country with a turbulent history but also in its emphasis on EU enlargement in the Western Balkans. Furthermore, Slovenia is the predecessor of France which will become the term president in the second half of 2008.
Jean Pierre Jouyet, French Europe minister, recently told the Financial Times that France failed in explaining its public the importance of EU enlargement. However, Jouyet previously also defined Turkey as being unable to become a member. The French position remains the same as Sarkozy still opposes Turkish membership. But if one considers his rapprochement to the US in line with recent developments in Turkey-US relations, one could expect him to at least refrain from obstructing the accession negotiations during the French term presidency, It is, of course, too early to make any projections since especially the second half of 2008 will also be determining the race for the US presidential elections. But it is not too early to note the possilibity of a change in France-Turkey-EU relations.
It is almost a cliché now to say that there is much progress needed for Turkey to be a member of the club. Up to now, six chapters have been opened with Turkey whereas Croatia has 14 chapters on which negotiations are proceeding. Croatia expects to join the EU by 2009. In other words, one could argue, the more chapters are opened, the higher the candidate country’s motivation to reform. Without any motivation, 2008 will not be able to make a significant change in Turkey-EU relations. In order to stimulate more motivation on the part of Turkey, some EU leaders should give up short-term political goals and start to think of the long term in the era of globalization. Sarkozy, who opposes Turkey’s accession based on the argument of possible borders with highly problematic regions should for example think of what kind of a Turkey the EU wants to have at its borders? A historic ally or a disappointed “other”.
The iron curtain has almost been removed except for the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen region. With the end of the Cold War, 9/11 has brought about the new ‘other’ in world politics. Turkey as the only “secular” Muslim country is now referred to as a moderate Islamic country mainly by the West. Prime Minister Erdoğan has never used this concept and opposes it. Still, some European leaders refer to Turkey with its secular democracy - despite some problems – as the “other” after 9/11 with their emphasis on religious differences. While the iron curtain falls on one side, Turkish citizens are faced with increased visa problems on the other. And Turkey is always told that the free movement of people has to wait even if there is an accession. This kind of double standard politics and the designation of Turkish immigrants as criminals or Muslims with a propensity for violence in the countries who oppose Turkey’s accession to the EU “must” end in 2008. Globalization has taught all of us that populist and short-sighted politics leads to even more negative results than before.
And that’s why Slovenia’s term presidency is important. As a country which itself has gone through many changes, it might show that change brings about long term visions, too. It will show us all if the New Europe is actually new.
