Turkish democrats could tire of EU hesitancy

06.09.2007 / 00:00 CET

Turkey has proven it is a more mature democracy than many other states, including some new EU states (‘Abdullah Gül elected Turkish president', 30 August-5 September).
The political crisis through which Turkey went this spring and summer is a clear indication already that the country is following the rules of democracy.
And the way the crisis was resolved in the end, with a clear general election and then the election by parliament of a president, in the third round of voting, was also an exemplary way of conducting business in a functioning democracy.
Turkey has made and will make faux pas in the future: most of them are prompted by frustration over the lack of clarity from the EU side on the prospects of Turkey ever joining the Union.
This permanent doubt and frustration is weighing on the political class: should they bet everything on something which is out of reach? How can they justify the thorough reforms they need to go through if the aim of EU membership is not credible?
The EU needs to be aware that its hesitancy has a direct and strong impact on Turkey.

Ari Matack
Brussels

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