France to Stand Beside Turkey

The opening of full membership negotiations is a major success for the Turkish government and is an historical turning point in the history of the European Union. Turkey’s international status has changed since October 3.

Turkey is no longer just a candidate country, but is a negotiating country on the path to full membership. On October 3, the European Union made an ambitious decision that will make it stronger in tomorrow’s world. The success of October 3, however, should not allow us to forget the points that Turkey, the European Union and France-Turkey relations may face in relation with the opening of negotiations.

1. Turkey is experiencing a difficult process, but has its fate in its hands.

The negotiations framework document approved by the Council on October 3 is a reasonable and sustainable framework, but it also requires diligence, and on October 20 the Commission began to screen the European Union Acquis Communautaire chapter by chapter. This first step will involve considerable work for the reconsideration of the acquis, as 88,000 pages of laws and regulations will be integrated into Turkish law. In this context, the word “negotiation” should not confuse. The acquis is not negotiable. What are negotiable are the conditions and the calendar for the reconsideration of the acquis. The acquis is not “a la carte:” There is just one menu, only the order of the dishes and the duration for digestion can be adapted. The pace of negotiations will be closely related to the progress of political reforms. On November 9, the Commission will submit its regular report and the accession partnership document, which will function as our road map for the reforms to come.

I hear some of our Turkish friends saying that Turkey was imposed with more demanding conditions in comparison to other enlargements. Commissioner Olli Rehn made it clear himself: these negotiations will be conducted in an unprecedented meticulous manner. The 25 [countries] have decided to subject this enlargement to a more tight political control. Why? First, because of its dimensions, its demographic density, its identity, Turkey asks a question Europe has never faced before. Secondly, we have learned certain things from the previous enlargements. If we agree to be impartial, the utmost care in the negotiations process will be for the advantage of Turkey that will face very deep political and economic changes. This could even be considered a guarantee for successful membership.

Today, Turkey is entering a difficult process. There will be discord and reorientations. The Turkish public will sometimes express its suspicion and indecision, and sometimes question the benefit of the sacrifices exacted. This is a stage through which we have all passed. There is a need to assume new behaviors in many fields and to adopt all the values and principles that constitute the European Union. [Turkish Minister of Justice] Cemil Cicek spoke of a “revolution in mentality” on October 6. President Jacques Chirac termed it as “cultural reform” and he has been misunderstood. Personally, I believe that the revolution has already begun and that important achievements have already been made, including with this government. There is still much to do; but no one demands that Turkey turn its back on its culture. France’s position in the Union is a suitable place to attest that full membership to the European Union is not assimilation but integration. For we too have the reflex, peculiar to the old countries, of expressing pride in our history and identity.

2. The European Union should continue to reform itself in order to receive Turkey under the right conditions.

Despite some reservations of the public opinion, notably in France, regarding the previous enlargement conditions, the EU has decided to keep its promises to Turkey. It has done so based on its concern to create a vision for the future and a new geographical balance. The EU should also once again take the path of reforms in order to remain faithful to both itself and the messages extended by the founders of the Union, who address the need for a “ever closer union among nations”. France has always considered it important not to allow enlargement to contradict the deepening of European integration. The EU should continue its adaptation, as it did before earlier enlargements in order to accept Turkey under the right circumstances when the appropriate time comes. It will also have to accommodate a greater diversity. We coin this as “absorption capacity” in the EU jargon. The point at issue is the functioning of a Europe, which will not limit itself to a big domestic market with a few common policies, but rather bring a collective ambition, a common solidarity and conscience to all the people of Europe. I, personally, believe Turkey will greatly contribute to a politically and economically more integrated Europe

Another challenge we have to take up together is the necessity to converge our civil societies. Europe cannot afford to ignore its people their demands and concerns. In this context, Turkey’s biggest trump to win the hearts of Europeans and the French will be to continue to move forward on the way to reforms.

I do believe in the merits of having more French citizens to discover Turkey’s present reality. Turkey’s accession is largely debated in France. This is a significant first step. Some would say the discussions are simplifying the issue and are fed by prejudices or false views. Nonetheless, this discussion is taking place and trying to avoid it would be dangerous. To the contrary, we should better explain, and try also try harder to convince the public opinion to change its perspective. Increasingly, the French people wonder more and more about Turkey, and as evidence of this, I would like to draw attention to the increase in the number of French tourists visiting Turkey during the first eight months of 2005 reached 530,000, an increase on the 2004 figures.

3. Now, I would like to touch upon France-Turkey relations in just a few words.

Political relations between France and Turkey are underpinned by the support extended by the French President to Turkey’s accession. President Chirac played a key role during the Council of Europe meeting in Helsinki in December 1999 when the status of candidate was acknowledged to Turkey. We need to bear this in mind. Despite reservations expressed within the framework of a democratic discussion in our country, the President has decided to make his strategic vision prevail. With Turkey, the EU will have a stronger hand in order to promote its values and interests. It will give it a greater say in World affairs and the ability to speak on an equal basis with larger societies such as China, India, the US and tomorrow Russia.

However, we still have a lot of work to achieve together. It is more important than ever to get rid of mutual doubts and to work as partners. Something we already do in many fields, including in the military one, the Turks and the French will work together in Afghanistan to turn Kabul into more secure region. At the same time, we will have to strengthen all the bridges between our countries, namely those who believe in Turkey’s future in Europe, starting from a significant French business community in Turkey. The importance of investment is an evidence of this. French companies in Turkey have 40,000 employees, the majority of whom are skilled workers. This situation, thanks to subcontracting, has positive reflections on economic activities and businesses in France. Thus, we need to bring an end to objecting complementary processes.

Finally, Turkey’s French and other European partners will support it during the adaptation process. Do we know French experts work together with their Turkish counterparts at the Republic of Turkey’s Ministries of Energy, Interior, Finance and Agriculture in order to accomplish reforms required for Turkey’s full membership to the EU? These ties will be increasingly tightened in upcoming years. Europe has progressed by always designating more ambitious targets for itself: The European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, the Common Market in 1956, the Single Market in 1986, the Single Monetary Unit in 1992, and enlargement towards the East. I have no doubts the EU, France and Turkey will succeed in this historical challenge.

October 24, 2005

PAUL POUDADE, FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO ANKARA

25.10.2005
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