The idea of joining Europen Union is one of the most important issue of Turkey’s agenda approximately for a half century. In this regard, the social consensus is obtained except for the marginal groups, because the Europen Union matches with the historical national target which is the being among developed countries and goes beyond that. For this reason, Turkey  joined NATO and Customs Union but waiting for a long time in the household of  Europen Union to join. This process is accelerated when Turkey done huge political, social and economical changes in last years and now it became a big debate in EU.

Some offers for Turkey a privileged partnership since they think that Turkey is different as to the historical background and the culturel features while some wants to Turkey became a membership of EU because of the political and jeopolitical features. “For Turkey the membership of EU is the national project of becoming  modern by means of which the social and economical development will accelerate and the political problems will be solved after being member of EU.” (1) In this paper as a geographer I briefly explain my ideas, expectations and disappointments about EU as to Turkish EU agenda and EU itself .

After two major world wars in the first half of 20. century, the states begun to realize the importance of the national, the regional and the global unity within the economics, cultural, social, political aspects. After the wars, Europe faced with very big social and economical problems. The process of EU started with the establishing of  coal and steal union while the ideas suggested to put away these problems. Today the members of EU rise to 25 after the the  last expanding step. In the last step ten states became member of EU. Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey  are the candidates waiting at the door.

My expactations from EU can be counted as follows: a) making Turkey developed country; b) increasing her national incame and education quality; c) running the democracy very welll; and d) expanding the freedoms which do not damage others. In short, I and majority of Turkish youth wants to see Turkey amongs the developed countries whose lives quality standard is high. In fact Turkey is firstly required to do the agenda of the “modernity” and the “globality” by herself then seek the aid from the others (i.e. EU, USA) in this line, though otherwise happining. For me, Turkish goverment should have a vision and accordingly mission that she has to satisfy for the requiretments of her citiziens by herself not for the sake of EU.

What is the Turkish perception of the “localism” and “globalism”? In what way or where she stands?  Is it right to leave “national reason” to the “regional reason” so that we no need to think any more? Does not this lead the Turkey to the state of national laziness? Does the EU only one way out option for Turkey? Is there another choices in the hand of Turkey? Can it be possible to see that the EU will be really united in the sense that Turkey expects? Will EU go forever? Or will it be scattered into pieces as before? Does really Turkey know what she expects and possible obtains from EU? Or is it a kind of political game and saving the day policy for the politicians and elits of Turkey?

I believe that before taking any kind of initiative towards Turkish national EU agenda, the questions given the above must be taken into account. Here I shall shortly deal with the some of them by making some points since  we are required to be brief. For instance, I realy do not know what will be the fate of EU, particularly when we remember the current political, social, economical, cultural cases of the world. For this reason by rethinking over the current situaiton of EU, Turkey has to reconsider her position at EU initiative which is a part of her national modernity agenda.

Keeping the current two global events, namely; a) the impact of the process of the reshaping the world policy of America over EU and b) the lack of general consensus over EU constitution in mind, this reconsideration is very important and necessary for Turkey. Let us now see this events one by one so as to make the some concluding point.

Considering the impact of the policy of America over EU, we can mention of the political weakness of EU countries towards the negative outcomes of the global activities of America (remember the present case of Iraq). The EU faced with a dilemma of sending troops and economically particapating the countries which America aimed to reshape but the some of the peoples of the Europe disagree with their goverment policies in relation to America’s external policies as well as EU policies. 

When it comes to the issue of  the lack of general consensus over EU constitution, we have a dramatic recent two examples in our hands. One is France’s voting results about the EU constitution which was a dissapointing for those who are in favour of the stability of EU as well as for those  who expect too much from EU (i.e. Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and so on). The second is Netherland’s national attitude towards the voting for the EU constitution. The outcome of Netherlands voting was the source of another dissapointment for the sincere followers of EU policies and activities.

As a result, when we take what we have said so far into consideration, Turkey should at least  have a clear idea about three points: a) her historical, cultural, economical and social position; b) The EU’s historical, cultural, economical and social position and finaly c) the outcome of the  American reshaping policies. This awareness of Turkey is particularly crucial when we recall the outcome of two events which taken place in the heart of EU; that is to say: after the constitution referandums in France and Netherland, it seems that the membership of Turkey to EU is very diffucult and also the EU’s future is unknown.

REFERENCE

1- Ikiel, C. “A Jeopolitical Event: The Candidacy of Turkey to EU Membership or Probable EU-Turkey Union”, Cumhuriyetimizin 81. Yılına Armağan, SAÜ Rektörlüğü Yayınları, pp. 147-153, Sakarya, 2004.