Monday night Turkey and the European Union European Union reached an historic deal to launch membership talks. Portuguese Foreign Minister Diogo Freitas do Amaral told reporters: "This historic European Union decision will have repercussions throughout the Islamic world. It probably will displease Mr. (Osama) Bin Laden, who has done everything to avoid this moment arriving," he said, referring to a struggle between pro-Western Turkish Muslims and Islamist militants, who have declared war on the West." Indeed, this EU act of good faith in Turkey's capability to meet the stringent demands for EU membership will have far more effect on the Middle East Peace Process than any foreign occupation army trying to force democracy down the throat of Middle Eastern citizens through the barrel of a gun. Turkey's quest to join the EU has taken some 43 years. Actually Turkey's desire to be part of the European Community dates back to the great Turkish leader Ataturk's reforms and the foundation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923.
In this historic deal the positives certainly far outnumber the negatives. As time progresses during the difficult negotiations ahead it could build a bridge between the Christian and Muslim worlds, and boost Europe‘s security and prosperity by integrating a young, dynamic population into the European Union. Prime Minister Erdogan told a meeting of his ruling party prior to the agreement, "Those in the EU who cannot digest Turkey being in the EU are against the alliance of civilizations."
Turkey's dynamic economy is a complex mix of modern industry and commerce along with a traditional agriculture sector that in 2001 still accounted for 40% of employment. It has a strong and rapidly growing private sector, yet the state still plays a major role in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. The most important industry - and largest exporter - is textiles and clothing, which is almost entirely in private hands. In recent years the economic situation has been marked by erratic economic growth and serious imbalances. Real GNP growth has exceeded 6% in many years, but this strong expansion has been interrupted by sharp declines in output in 1994, 1999, and 2001. Meanwhile, the public sector fiscal deficit has regularly exceeded 10% of GDP - due in large part to the huge burden of interest payments, which accounted for more than 40% of central government spending in 2003. Inflation, in recent years in the high double-digit range, fell to 11.3% in 2004. Perhaps because of these problems, foreign direct investment in Turkey remains low - less than $1 billion annually. Results in 2002-04 improved, because of strong financial support from the IMF and tighter fiscal policy. EU member states make up about half of Turkey's exports, with Germany being the largest single market. German exports to Turkey also went up to nearly €6 billion ($7.4 billion) in the first half of 2004, an increase of 50 percent.
Turkey's membership in the EU would also bring political advantages to the Union. If the bloc succeeds in bringing wealth and democracy to Turkey, it will serve as an example to the rest of the Islamic world and prevent an increase in radical tendencies. Europe House which supports a strong, multi-cultural, secular, unified and independent Europe to include Turkey, congratulates Turkish and EU leaders on this historic agreement. The EU can and must take care of its own destiny. This is an important step in the right direction.
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