Azerbaijan, Baku, July 3 /Trend News E.Ostapenko /
Sweden, a country which has recently accepted the European Union (EU) presidency, supports Turkey's integration. However, most depends on the Turkish authorities' readiness to reconcile with pressures from several negatively-spirited EU countries and will to meeting all necessary terms for membership, European analyst Antonio Missiroli believes.
"If you want to become a member of a club, you have to meet the conditions of the club," Missiroli said in a telephone talk with Trend News from Brussels. You can't meet them half way or make a compromise. You meet conditions or you don't."
Talks between the EU and Turkey began on 2005, but progress in holding domestic reforms in Turkey for EU membership was inconsiderable. Sweden, which has accepted EU presidency for next six months, is optimistic with regard to Turkey's membership in the organization.
Fulfilling the terms turned out very demanding for Turkey, also in terms of national pride. Turkish elite don't like the idea that they simply have to meet the conditions posed by others, Missiroli said.
This is a cultural difficulty that didn't apply when it came to Poland or other Central European countries. They were so convinced that they wanted to join. They were ready to do whatever the European Union was asking them to do, because they thought it was also in their interest. In the case of Turkey it was more complicated than that, Director of Studies, European Policy Centre (EPC) in Brussels Antonio Missiroli thinks.
As to political pressures by countries opposing Turkey's integration, Turkey should get accustomed to it, Missiroli said.
Turkish Prime-minister Ergodan has to realize that this press will continue, that Mr. Sarcozy or some officials from his party, some German politicians won't shut up, Missiroli said. They will continue to make their point.
France, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands have repeatedly opposed Turkish membership, offering Ankara a status of privileged partner. In response, Ankara states that Turkey will not accept a variant of privileged partner as alternative to EU membership.
According to Missiroli, even on condition of holding domestic reforms in Turkey, non-admission of Turkey by several EU member-countries can play its role.
At the end of the process there must be unanimous decision by the EU members. If talks with Turkey reach the final stage, there will be political pressure from France, Germany, etc.
It is very difficult to see who will be ruling France in eights or nine years, when it is possible for Turkey to finish their negotiations, Missiroli said. However, there will be elections in Germany at the end of September.
All the opinion polls indicate that Christian Democrats (CDU) are likely to win the elections. This is the party which is against Turkey's EU membership. So, if larger coalition which is loyal to Turkey's entrance will collapse October, Germany will have a government opposing Turkey.
Turkey should work over the content of talks with EU, Missiroli believes. Turkey made a lot of reforms before opening the negotiations with the EU between 2002 and 2005.
Erdogan's party came to power at the end of 2002, while official talks with the EU began in October 2005. Since October 2005 very little has happened in Turkey in terms of progress in reform.
Turkey still has problems in the sphere of human rights. Furthermore, the negotiation process delays due to Turkey's refusal from recognizing the Republic of Cyprus an EU member and open transport communication with it.
A next chapter of talks opened in Brussels on Tuesday. This is the 11th chapter which deals with taxation. There are 35 Chapters of negotiations for Turkey's EU membership and Ankara must ensure its coincidence to the EU requirements.
Missorili thinks it was more a less symbolic act in the last days of Czech presidency. The Czech presidency wanted to show that they are entirely stuck in the negotiations.
"The process has continued for years. The most difficult chapters are taken at the end. So, the first 11 ones are the easiest chapters," he added.
In November the Commission will deliver its opinion on the state of preparation of Turkey and also on compliance of Turkey with the conditions on opening Turkish harbors to Cypriots. And the impression of the state is that the opinion will be very critical on Turkey, he said.
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