EVALUATION of the “COOLING DOWN” PROCESS in EU – TURKEY RELATIONS
IUE Lecturer Assoc. Prof. Filiz Başkan said that the effects of the cooling down period will still be noticeable in the coming days. Başkan also stated that the election process in domestic politics is also effective in this cooling down process in EU – Turkey relations. Assoc. Prof. Filiz Başkan pointed out that a new phase began in EU – Turkey relations after EU Commission’s suspending 8 negotiating chapters with Turkey in November, and she described this process as a “Cooling Down Period”. IUE Lecturer Assoc. Prof. Filiz Başkan stated that Turkey’s enthusiasm in making reforms and the attitude of EU towards Turkey will determine the next process.
Bilkent University Lecturer Prof. Dr. Ergun Özbudun who was a speaker in the conference, pointed out that there are two different groups formed in Turkey in the process of Turkey – EU relations which are defender nationalists and conservative globalists. Özbudun said, “Conservative globalists support EU. On the other hand, defender nationalists should be evaluated in two different groups which are mild and harsh EU opponents. Mild EU opponents believe that Turkey will lose its national sovereignty with EU membership. They also in a way consider this as the acceptance of Sevr Agreement.”
Incentive Factors Decrease
Özbudun also stated that in public opinion, the affirmative approach towards EU has decreased from 70% to 30%, and said “There is a cooling down in both sides in terms of relations. EU has a hypocritical attitude towards Turkey. Therefore, there is loss of enthusiasm in making reforms in Turkey. I do not say that the enthusiasm is going to cease but incentive factors decrease. “
You Should Play Bridge in Bridge Club
Özbudun evaluated the belief about EU entrance process as a lack of self respect and said “Did 27 countries which are EU member became a EU member without self respect? If you are a member of a bridge club, you should play bridge there. If you want to be the member of EU, you should obey the rules. There cannot be a special practice for you.”
Istanbul Bilgi University Lecturer Assoc. Prof. Serap Yazıcı pointed out soldier-civilian relation in Turkey in EU process. Yazıcı said “When you look at the democracy process in EU, you can see that the decisions are taken by the authorities or institutions elected by general ballots. This is not the case in Turkey. The institutions feel obliged to ask soldiers while taking important decisions and this process is distressing.”
Bilkent University Lecturer Prof. Dr. Ergun Özbudun who was a speaker in the conference, pointed out that there are two different groups formed in Turkey in the process of Turkey – EU relations which are defender nationalists and conservative globalists. Özbudun said, “Conservative globalists support EU. On the other hand, defender nationalists should be evaluated in two different groups which are mild and harsh EU opponents. Mild EU opponents believe that Turkey will lose its national sovereignty with EU membership. They also in a way consider this as the acceptance of Sevr Agreement.”
Incentive Factors Decrease
Özbudun also stated that in public opinion, the affirmative approach towards EU has decreased from 70% to 30%, and said “There is a cooling down in both sides in terms of relations. EU has a hypocritical attitude towards Turkey. Therefore, there is loss of enthusiasm in making reforms in Turkey. I do not say that the enthusiasm is going to cease but incentive factors decrease. “
You Should Play Bridge in Bridge Club
Özbudun evaluated the belief about EU entrance process as a lack of self respect and said “Did 27 countries which are EU member became a EU member without self respect? If you are a member of a bridge club, you should play bridge there. If you want to be the member of EU, you should obey the rules. There cannot be a special practice for you.”
Istanbul Bilgi University Lecturer Assoc. Prof. Serap Yazıcı pointed out soldier-civilian relation in Turkey in EU process. Yazıcı said “When you look at the democracy process in EU, you can see that the decisions are taken by the authorities or institutions elected by general ballots. This is not the case in Turkey. The institutions feel obliged to ask soldiers while taking important decisions and this process is distressing.”
