Social Implications of Turkey Joining EU - Case Study Example

Social implications of Turkey joining EU One of the hottest topics of the century is Turkey joining EU. Inner forces like resistance from existing EU alliances are keeping Turkey at length, hence, preventing its alliance with EU. It’s been two and a half decades since Turkey has files an application to join EU, the matter is still as cold as ice. No reaction or response has been observed against this application but a mere negativity and raged resistance from existing alliances, especially Germany. New on the forum is that after eighteen years of first application, it has been now allowed and welcomed to formal negotiations with the panel, on becoming a member. Arkin (2006, pp. 57-179) explains that the whirling situation emerged when Austria (another existing member) vacated its demand that Turkey should be offered an option a little short of full membership. This is one of the possibilities that were being and possibly be offered but Turkey unequivocally rejected this. Although President of European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso has directed that Turkey's entry into the EU not going to be "guaranteed or automatic either". In amassing the membership talks with Turkey, Austrian government have been behaving like what any rational person might call being “outrageous”. For a country, allied with the EU, to be using its position to endanger the political or economic future of an aspirant country is extremely inexcusable. This has been the actual scene at the backend which is being practiced by both Austria and Germany. Germany has been reported to give really strong and challenging statements about this issue. German statements that stalwartly oppose and contend Turkey's EU Membership include are; Angela Merkel (CDU), German chancellor, on May 11, 2009, said about Turkey that there should not be a membership but a privileged partnership. Before that in a symposium with the President of France she said that, “Accepting Turkey to the EU is out of question." "Turkey's accession would overtax the EU," said Wolfgang Schauble (CDU), German minister of finance. He has mentioned six rationales, on his website, against Turkey's EU concurrence; Giving Iraq, Syria, and Iran some border and room in EU would not make people feel that EU has some specific and distinct boundaries. The main concern of Germany is the success of European assimilation We don’t want to leave our Turkish friends behind. We believe in having brawny corporation with Turkey but that does not state that Turkey can be admitted to the EU The issue related to Turkey's EU membership, has nothing to do with it’s being a great democratic Muslim country. Being at the place of full member of the European Union, Turkey might not be able to perform its role as a bridge between EU members and non-EU alliances The relationship of Germany with Turkey does not depend upon Turkey’s admittance to the EU faction. The integration can be successful enough even without Turkey’s alliance with the EU Turkey is one of the purest democratic governments, which gives complete and free religious rights to its Christian minorities. Turkey, thus stands out from the rest of the world including Europe in giving religious freedom to its minorities, other than the Muslim majority If the accession talks fail after ten years, it would be a complete debacle for the European unity as well. A privileged partnership would be of great interest Such statements given by existing EU alliances might discourage Turkey’s government about joining EU. However, the Turkish government has been firm and patient about getting any answer from the panel. To assess the effects of turkey’s entrance into the shell of EU which is being defied by inner forces, a PEST analysis has been conducted, along with the cultural effects, both on EU and on Turkey as well. Cultural European Union was institute upon some basic values of respect for humanity and human dignity, freedom of every living being especially in terms of culture and religion, democracy, equality of rights, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society, especially in those countries where pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail. The fundamental philosophy of the EU is contradicted where the discussion lands upon the discrimination between European and Turkish cultures by claiming that it is impossible to reunite the two. The EU stands for assimilation and alliance fabricated on common values of humanity, such as democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights. Now-a-days Islam is the second largest religion (ion terms of the number of followers) in Europe, after Christianity. Turkey's concurrence in EU would aid reconciliation of religious and cultural bounds by sharing and signifying harmonizing identities. While having talks and discussions about Turkish accession to EU, the opponents as well as the adversaries usually use the related and repeated arguments. For every point that supports, there is an equal and opposite points that weakens it. This is so because while considering Turkey and its possible accession to EU, political, cultural and economical debates play a major role. Many of the stakeholders think that culture is the main concern. Turkey is a secular state while being a Muslim majority country. The crux of this concern is the Christian majority if EU members. These Christian countries have a multicultural origin and endorse Muslim population too there. Yet, the possible accession of turkey poses complicated issues about European distinctiveness. When Turkey attempts to join the EU Austria is the one that openly opposes to Turkey’s potential accession. Austria is the vestige of the Habsburg and Austro-Hungarian Empires, historic rivals of the Ottoman Empire that heralded Turkey; Ottoman Turks set cordon to Vienna in 1529 and 1683. The hottest topic and issue on the curtain is Austria’s and a few other EU nations’ offer to Turkey about a confidential corporation. This might be as an associate member status and not being a full membership rights. Having Turkish accession seized in EU as Austria’s main goal, it has changed the scenario of negotiations on this topic. Instead of having some result oriented meetings and discussions, the consultations and negotiations are going to be open ended where the results are never surefire. Austrian EU Ambassador Gregor Waschnagg has revealed that a lot of things have been tainted since Europe granted Turkey to begin with accession talks (December 2004): Around 80 % of the Austrian population opposes this idea. This entire situation has been in the limelight for around a decade or so but the issue persists. The information is being chased on by Effie Fokas (2001, pp. 62-91) Croatia’s EU entry is being supported by Austria, which is delayed due to Croatia’s lack of cooperation passing on criminals of war. Unless the EU opens Croatia’s entry to EU, Austria has in jeopardy to block Turkey’s accession talks. PEST Analysis Political There is a specific political standard to decide about a country’s entry into the EU. This criterion was established at the Copenhagen European Council of 1993. This requires nominee countries to fulfill a specific set of terms and conditions to become affiliates of the EU. This set of conditions range from stable functioning of institutions guaranteeing democracy to the rule of law and human rights/respect for and protection of minorities. The main legislative measures adopted by Turkey towards the fulfillment of the political criteria are presented below. T.R, Prime Ministry, State Planning Organization (2004. Pp. 9-12) explain the following impacts of EU and Turkey accession. Note: The following information was presented in a charter (a report by ministry i.e. state planning organization) and has been taken directly from there First package of harmonization (Law No. 4744)1 Freedom of expression Espousing the idea of actual hazard rather than conceptual peril, the Penal Code was amended to make the offence of inciting people openly to enmity or hatred punishable when it is committed “in a manner that may be dangerous for public order”. By a modification to the Anti-Terrorism Law, penalty was predetermined not for all types of misinformation but only for “propaganda in favor of an illegal organization in such a manner as would encourage the use of terrorist methods”. State Security Courts By an improvement to the Law on State Security Courts, detention periods were shortened, the provisions concerning persons under detention in the state-of-emergency region were improved, and the possibility to have access one’s lawyer at any time was introduced Detainee rights The Penal process Code was amended to ensure that relatives of detained or apprehended persons are promptly notified of detention, apprehension and decisions to extend the period of detention. Second package of harmonization (Law No. 4748) Fighting against torture Provision was made for resorting to responsible personnel on account of compensations paid under decisions of the European Court of Human Rights for offences of torture. Making the closure of political parties more difficult The possibility was provided for partly or completely depriving a political party of state financial assistance instead of closing it. The definition of a “focus” which is used as a ground for closing political parties was clarified. Freedom of the press Penalties for certain offences committed through the press were reduced. The provisions on publishing in a language banned by law were repealed. Freedom to establish associations The conditions required for being a founder of an association were made easier. Restrictions on freedom to establish associations with regard to purpose were reduced. The bans on associations to use certain names and signs and languages other than Turkish were eased. The objectives and areas of activity for student associations were enlarged. The system of permission was replaced by the system of notification concerning relations of associations with foreign associations and organizations. Freedom of assembly and demonstration The conditions for organizing assemblies and demonstrations were lessened. The grounds for postponing or banning an assembly or demonstration were reduced. State Security Courts The provisions that restrict the right to see a lawyer for those apprehended or detained on account of offences within the jurisdiction of State Security Courts were abolished. Court of Public Accounts The possibility was provided for the Court of Public Accounts to audit State property held by the Armed Forces. Ninth package of harmonization (Law No. 5218) Death penalty In line with the amendment to the Constitution, the death penalties under certain laws were abolished and turned into heavy imprisonment for life. Military representatives on various bodies The provision for the General Staff to elect a member to the Higher Education Council was abolished. The provision for a member to be elected to the High Board for Radio and Television from among candidates nominated by the Secretariat-General of the National Security Council was abolished. Measuring up to this standard of Copenhagen, Turkey has waived of all the doubts in anyone’s mind that it can be a part of EU. Striving enough on the road of democracy, Turkey has reached certain milestones. It has proved itself to be a true democratic country i.e. allowing minorities to practice all type of religious and social rights while the country itself has the oldest and strongest history of being a Muslim majority country. Economic, Social and Technical Implications The economic implications of this treaty and alliance would help flourish the economy of member countries of EU. Some other implications (social, economic, and technical) are as follow; The existing economic integration between the EU member states is very high. To cope up with that standard, Turkey needs to establish some close alliances with the EU and consisting states, So that Turkey will be able to cope up with the arising matters and economic assimilations (resulting from membership) in a more perfect manner There should be a proper and well functioning market economy in which there is liberalization of prices and the financial sector is in sound health. Turkey needs to establish all this. Once established, Turkey can be highly beneficial to EU member states and their economy Another social implication summits that the relationship between Christian and Muslim community will flourish, not only within the EU states but across the globe as well. This is one of the most beneficial fallouts for the participating countries as well as the rest of the world Turkey’s Lira has a higher value against dollar and that this makes its economy more powerful against other countries. Investing in Turkey or Turkish investment in other European countries will help eliminate poverty, and inflation by exchange of bilateral trade and benefits Long lived anonymity will be abolished since Germany and Austria have been disgraceful against Turkey. If given a chance to join EU, Turkey can be very cooperative and beneficial for others. This point of view on macro-social and macro-economic factors has been compiled by Pierre van der Haegen (2007, pp. 371-405) Bibliography Arikan, Harun. Tukry and the EU: an awkward Candidate in the EU. Library of Congress, 2006. Breaking news: EU breaking Promise. 7th March 2010 . Delegation of European Union to Turkey. 7th March 2010 . EU-Turkey Civic Commission. 7th March 2010 . EU-Turkey Relations. 7th March 2010 . International Crisis Group. 7th March 2010 . The Turkish vote and its potentially positive impacts. 7th March 2010 . Turkey and the EU: Hurtful Certainity. 7th March 2010 . Turkey in the European Union. 7th March 2010 . 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