How did EU Take the First Iftar Dinner?

Claude Moraes MEP, the British Labour Party member for London, spoke at and helped to organize a meeting of the inter-cultural dialogue platform held on October 10. Here, he outlines why the event was so important, coming as it did at a time of tension regarding the negotiations for Turkey’s EU entry.

In my opinion it was very important for the Inter-Cultural Dialogue Platform (IDP) to host a fast-breaking meal within the European Parliament building in Brussels. It was important for Belgian-Turkish businessmen, and a range of key experts on Turkey and its relationship with Europe, to be present in such great numbers to promote mutual understanding and respect for diversity.

In my short speech, I wanted very much to get to the point about why I believe the negotiations for Turkish entry to the EU are so important yet have been so difficult. I am a supporter of Turkish entry to the EU, and I am proud of the UK Government’s enthusiasm for accession provided by the recent negotiations of Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and our Europe Minister Douglas Alexander. I believe Turkey must join the EU, not only for its own prosperity but for the advancement of the European Union and to encourage greater economic and political stability in our regions.

So what is the problem? Why did the Austrians threaten to scupper the negotiations; why have the French stated that they will have a referendum on Turkish entry? Why the suspicion? There are many aspects to the problems. Some of them are practical. Turkey has made progress on the economy, agriculture, and cohesion. One example is that Turkey’s poorest regions have 8% of the EU’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per person. the European Commission admits the catching up process of Turkey’s income levels with the EU is expected to last several decades. The Independent Commission on Turkey led by Martti Ahtisaari has said not only does Turkey need to reform but that EU policies, generally on cohesion and regional policy, will have to change. On the other side there has been a long road over the question of human rights. Much progress has been made and we are moving in the right direction, and readers of this article should be aware that there are genuine concerns, as well as the artificial concerns of many who simply do not want to see Turkey within the EU.

The IDP event was therefore extremely important because it addresses many of the problems which remain psychological in Western Europe about the accession of a Muslim country. The fact that we must get across at events such as this is that Turkey is a continually modernising secular state with a Muslim population and a younger generation who are proud of their identity but who want to share in the modernisation and prosperity of European Union membership. Turks themselves are braced for a very long and difficult journey to EU entry. For me and many of my colleagues, we feel we must do everything possible to bridge the suspicion and anxiety of Turkish membership while many of my fellow politicians are worried about the Turkey being the largest EU country from 2010 with the largest number of MEPs and votes in the Council of Ministers, as a British MEP I am not afraid. I believe we must welcome and be optimistic about the positive impact. Policies will be discussed over the next ten years but we must not ignore the inter-cultural aspect of this debate. I represent London, one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, with a significant Turkish speaking population. I believe it is my duty, and the duty of my colleagues, to reach out to Turkish people at every level, to build stronger binds and reduce the anxiety and fear which has clearly accompanied the debate over accession. British MEPs will do everything possible to support the IDP and many of my colleagues from all the British political parties, Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green attended this event and support this positive approach. Without these connections, a successful partnership between Turkey and EU members will only be more difficult.

October 25, 2005

25.10.2005
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