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The door opened on a new and
difficult period for both Turkey and the EU when their Customs Union agreement went
into force on January 1, 1996. This is much as it was planned 32 years ago in the
Ankara Treaty. In order to satisfy both Parties to the Customs Union in the future,
efforts must now be made to foster the creation of a shared sense of togetherness.
Turkey's relations
with Europe have been developing for 150 years. Turkey started trying to change its
economic, political and social structure with a series of reforms in the second half
of the 19th century. After the First World War, Turkey chose Western Europe as its
model. The country turned its political structure into a modern and secular republic.
With the reforms of Atatürk, the social and cultural values of the West started
to spread. After the Second World War, Turkey took its place in every international
organization of Europe.
Turkey followed the
formation of today's European Union with a close interest from the beginning, making
its first application to take part in 1959. This application resulted in the Ankara
Treaty that went into force on January 1,1964. This treaty sketched out the way in
which Turkey would one day become a full member of the European Union.
Despite an up-and-down
trajectory since the signing of the Ankara Treaty, Turkey has kept up the main momentum
of its relations with the European Union. It has now passed the stage of putting
the planned Customs Union into effect.
There are many signs
of the great expectations that the two sides have from this togetherness. These include
the lively debates before Customs Union, Turkey's determined and zealous push to
achieve this union, and the big majority by which the European Parliament assented
to the Customs Union agreement.
It seems that certain
rules should be observed if these expectations are going to be best satisfied on
both sides. Our opinion is backed up by the way that the success of new members in
integrating themselves into the European Union has been relative to their efforts
to observe these rules and conditions.
Reciprocal economic interests
It must not be forgotten
that above all the foundation of the Customs Union lies in reciprocal economic interests.
A giant and unfilled
market of 60 million people, adapted to global consumer norms, opened before Europe
with its assent to the Customs Union agreement. Turkey has been judged by the United
States of America to be one of the world's 10 most important developing markets.
Beside the attractions of its domestic market, it is also a trade and production
base and a jumping board for the Middle East, Central Asia and the countries of the
Black Sea and the Balkans. The fact that Turkey is a mediterranean country at the
same time creates the potential for Turkey to add an important dimension to the European
Union's new Mediterranean Policy.
The states of the European
Union, apart from some restrictions, have for a long time not imposed duties on Turkish
goods. About half of Turkey's trade is now conducted with European countries. New
markets can open up in Europe for appropriately-organized Turkish firms as the Customs
Union agreement raises the last obstacles and competition has its stimulating effect.
Turkey's private sector, which is extremely dynamic at home and influential in the
region, expects in this transition period of the Customs Union to explore new possibilities
of cooperation with European firms, to open the door to joint enterprises and to
import information, technology and capital. Turkey hopes that the obligation of harmonization
with the Customs Union will bring discipline to the economy. It is also expected
that with Customs Union, non-European foreign capital will also find Turkey's human
resources and dynamism attractive and will seek to take advantage of Turkey as a
base for production.
These economic interests
are important for both sides. In order to achieve the priority of integration, they
should be brought to forefront and strengthened during this time of Customs Union.
Economic and social integration
The prioritizing and
strengthening of reciprocal economic interests will also speed up economic and social
integration. This acceleration will help to lower regional economic and social differences
to a reasonable level. Closing these divides will also help speed up integration,
Without these reciprocal influences, without a balance between regions, it will not
be possible to say that Customs Union has been equally profitable for both sides.
We are undoubtedly
also faced here with another matter of prime importance, namely the need to implement
the economic and social reforms that Turkey has long needed. The implementation of
these reforms is in turn connected to the removal of recent political uncertainties
and a decisive breaktrough in political life.
On the other hand,
development of dialogue and institutional cooperation between the two sides will
be very helpful for meeting the expectations of this transitional period.
Recognition of cultural differences
This economic and social
integration should develop in parallel with the recognition and defense of cultural
differences. Turkey is 99 per cent Muslim and the only country to achieve Customs
Union with Europe. It is not only Muslim, but has unique relationships inherited
from its history and geography, its Eastern communities and its strong links with
Eastern cultures. Turkey has created a new socio-political synthesis and has succeeded
in configuring its economic, social and political institutions according to Western
norms. As a result it has emerged as the only Western-style democracy in the region,
even if its synthesis does have its weak points.
Turkey will defend
this synthesis as it goes into this union. It is only in as much measure as this
synthesis is protected that Turkey presents new horizons for Europe and new openings
for the European Single Market. Turkey is an ideal partner needed by Europe because
of its cultural differences, not despite them.
Seeing these differences
and accepting them as a factor that enriches the relationship will play an important
role for both sides in ensuring the success of the Customs Union.
Solidarity
Turkey is the one and
only country that has achieved Customs Union without becoming a full member of the
European Union. This fact blocks Turkey from benefiting from the Union's structural
funds or its regional development programs. This has resulted in the financial aid
set aside for Turkey's accession to the Customs Union being far less than the losses
that Turkey will incur because of the free trade agreement. It should also not be
forgotten that Greek objections prevented Turkey from receiving the great part of
the financial aid promised to it under the Fourth Financial Protocol. Turkey entered
Customs Union despite the failure of the European Union to carry out this promised
aid.
That the European Union
must act in solidarity with Turkey is clear when we consider the following: that
we are obliged to solve the problems of integration in order to achieve a productive
togetherness; that a productive togetherness is not just Turkey's concern, but the
concern of Europe as well; and that if Turkey is to suffer financial damage even
before it goes into the Customs Union, then there may be damage done to the short-
and medium-term interests of both sides.
The point of view presented
under the above headings 'reciprocal economic interests", "economic and social
integration", "recognition of cultural differences" and "solidarity" also define
the rules of the game. We derived these principles from a study of the European Union's
own internal relationships. We believe the success of this transition period is inextricably
linked to the observance of these rules of the game. This obligation is no doubt
as valid for Brussels as it is for Ankara. We think that the interests of both sides
will be damaged and the success of the transition period jeopardized if it is attempted
to play it under special rules and different conditions, especially since Customs
Union is the result of a treaty that has as its goal Turkey's full membership of
the European Union.
The private sector and the role of TÜSİAD
European public opinion
should know that during the process of Customs Union the Turkish private sector will
play an active role in making sure that Turkey remains committed to the rules of
the game. As one of the most important civic associations in the Turkish private
sector, TÜSİAD, the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association, is
determined to make an important contribution in this respect. TÜSİAD's members
represent companies that are responsible for nearly half of the added value produced
by the Turkish economy, 45 per cent of Turkish exports and 40 per cent of its employment.
As members of UNICE, together with TİSK, the Confederation of Turkish Employers'
Unions, we have completed our preparations to be able to best act as a bridge between
the Turkish private sector and the European private sector and other European institutions.
We hope and believe that our fellow civic organizations in Europe that helped us
to realize the Customs Union, especially the industrial and employers' groups, will
continue to develop the solidarity that we have achieved until today. We especially
trust that they will ensure that their own side will play the game of Customs Union
by the rules as well. |
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