Mohammad Jamil
HENRY Kissinger had once stated: “Worsening state-to-state relations can be like a car crash — the result is easy to recognize but it’s notoriously hard to pin down what could have been done to avoid it.†Despite the fact that ties between the United States and Turkey date back to the beginning of Cold War in the 1950s, relations between NATO’s two largest armies have deteriorated so rapidly that Russia now provides the majority of air support for the Turkish Army’s ongoing battle against the Islamic State near Al-Bab, Northern Syria. There are two underlying causes for the breakdown in relations between Turkey and the United States. One is America’s support for the forces fighting for the Kurdish enclaves in Northern Syria, and the other is Washington’s unwillingness to extradite the cleric Fethullah Gülen back to Turkey, who is accused of involvement in the last year’s aborted coup.Turkey is also wary of the European Union for one its attitude to the talks on its membership of the European Union and also on the issue of refugees. Vladimir Putin has hailed the close relationship between Russia and Turkey’s militaries, as he hosted Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan for talks on Syria. Ties between them had become strained in 2015 after Turkey’s military shot down a Russian warplane near the country’s border with Syria. However, after Turkey’s apology, the relations are on positive trajectory, and both countries joined hands for brokering a ceasefire in Syria in December 2016, which helped diminish fighting in Syria. Two weeks ago, they had organized two rounds of talks between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his opponents to remove mistrust between Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces, US-backed Kurdish forces and Russian-allied Syrian government forces.Turkey had ruled the Arab world for about 400 years under Ottoman Empire, therefore Arabs’ antipathy towards Turkey was understandable. However, it was Ataturk who had set the principles of ‘dual’ East-West approach; but over the years, there were periods of cool, lukewarm and warm relations under different governments in Turkey. In mid-1950s, when Turkey had joined Baghdad Pact later renamed as Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), its relations with Egypt, Syria and other Arab countries had become strained. However, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government under then Prime Minister Erdogan’s leadership made sensible moves to strengthen relations with Muslim brotherly countries. The party has pursued much broader political, economic and strategic objectives in international affairs than its predecessors, and had even put together a strategic plan that aims to make Turkey a world power by 2023.The Justice and Development Party (AKP) has Islamist roots yet its members show remarkable tolerance to other religions. It had taken far-reaching reforms that stabilized the economy that helped continuation of Turkey’s membership talks with the European Union. However, some European countries do not wish to see Turkey in EU’s fold despite the fact they claim that Europe is a continent of diverse people, races and religions united by ideas and ideals. Nevertheless, the European Union members always found some excuse to stall the talks for Turkey’s membership of the EU. In December 2006, some EU members had expressed indignation over Turkey’s refusal to use its ports and harbors for Greek Cypriot traffic. On the other hand Turkey had demanded that EU must lift its trade embargo on Turkey’s northern Cyprus, which appeared to be a genuine demand.The formal talks were initiated in October 2005 about Turkey’s membership of the European Union that foundered when Austria insisted that Turkey should be offered a lesser partnership and not a full membership of the EU because it failed to meet entry criteria. In 2008, 25 foreign ministers had unanimously decided to suspend eight of the 35 chapters or policy areas into which negotiations were divided, and review Turkey’s compliance annually. But now it looks like as if chapter of Turkey’s entry in the European Union is closed. Turkey’s decades-long bid to join the European Union had a setback as criticism grew over an ongoing crackdown following July’s failed coup. The EU parliament had voted on 24th November 2016 to suspend talks with Turkey on European Union membership. In November 2016, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Brussels that Ankara was now ready to go its own way.There is also a perception that EU members do not wish to have a Muslim country in EU’s fold. Though they claim to be broadminded, enlightened and tolerant of other religions, in fact they are not. Anyhow, one of the reasons for Turkey’s opposition is the nasty wrangle between Turkey and Greece over Cyprus. It all had started in 1974 when supporters of the union with Greece made a coup in Cyprus. Turkey had attacked Cyprus to stop that move, and the Cyprus was divided between Greek Cypriot south and Turkish Cypriot north – a state recognized by Ankara only. Turkish leadership, however, was of the view that for the progress of the country and welfare of its people it was imperative to be a part of European Union. But opponents of Turkey appear to have mala fide intentions and display double standards. Before the 2008 general elections in Turkey, the print and electronic media in Europe had carried reports and statements of critics that Justice and Development Party was being pushed against the wall, and if the government did not allow this party to participate in elections, it would be negation of democracy and Turkey would not qualify to be a member of the EU. But when Justice Party had come out victorious in the elections and formed government, propaganda was unleashed that Turkey was being ruled by Islamic elements, once again to prove their point that Turkey was not a fit case for becoming member of the EU. Cultural differences were also blown out of proportions, as after Justice Party came into power all cases against girls wearing hijab were withdrawn.
This was also used as an excuse to block the Turkey’s entry in the EU, which could be termed as extreme narrow-mindedness.
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