By Ayhan Simsek
BERLIN
German chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition partner Social Democrats has welcomed her new policy towards Ankara and expressed support for further progress in Turkey’s EU membership talks.
“I am happy that my chancellor is now supporting Turkey’s EU accession process, which has not always been the case….I think that is very good and also remarkable,” Niels Annen, a senior lawmaker and foreign policy spokesman of Social Democrat Party (SPD), told Anadolu Agency.
“I think we have a chance now to elevate the relations between EU and Turkey,” Annen said.
Merkel, a long opponent of Turkey’s full membership to the EU, has softened her stance amid the refugee crisis and deepening conflict in Syria, and she has also led recent efforts for a closer dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Turkey.
Annen said Sunday’s EU-Turkey summit had been a success not only because both sides agreed to cooperate closely in addressing the refugee crisis, but also for re-energizing Turkey’s stalled EU membership process.
“The EU-Turkey summit is something that did not exist before. That in itself makes it very significant," Annen said, adding that EU only had such meetings with major powers like the U.S. before.
"You know my party [SPD] has been in favor of Turkey’s EU accession process. But that was not a consensus, not in the German public, but also not within the EU. So, I think we made some progress," he said.
European leaders agreed to have regular summits with Turkey twice a year, to assess the development of Turkey-EU relations and discuss international issues.
Turkey started its EU membership talks in 2005 but could not achieve much progress since then mainly because of the Cyprus issue and the opposition of the previous French and German governments.
Annen said that governments and parties that blocked Turkey’s membership talks led to frustration in Ankara and caused a loss of interest in Turkey for political reforms and in the EU membership process.
"I believe that the Christian Democratic and conservative parties in Europe, that opposed Turkey’s EU process in the past, bear responsibility for the situation now,” he said.
"It was not only Ms. Merkel, for instance, or [former French president] Mr. Sarkozy who delayed the process and sent the message to the Turkish government: ‘look whatever you are doing, whatever political risk you are taking, we don’t want you to become a member of our club’. That was a big political mistake and we are paying the price,” he added.
As an EU candidate country since 2005, Turkey has to successfully conclude negotiations with the EU in 35 policy chapters, which envisage reforms and adoption of European standards before eventual membership. But many chapters have remained blocked so far.
Sunday’s EU-Turkey summit raised hopes for reviving the process, with EU leaders promising opening the economic and monetary policy chapter in the accession talks.
SPD's Annen hoped that by opening new chapters, Turkey’s EU process will be brought back on track.
“Right now, I cannot imagine Turkey becoming a member of the EU due to the human rights situation, and concentration of power. But I still believe that it should be a member,” he said.
“If the Turkish government is willing and able to address problems in democracy, rule of law, human rights and press freedom, and peace process with Kurds, this could be a window of opportunity. And my party SPD and the progressive movement in Europe would support those forces within Turkey that are willing and able to seize the opportunity of the moment,” he added.
SPD’s foreign policy spokesman hoped that closer EU-Turkey ties would also bear fruits in cooperation in other international issues, including efforts for a political solution in Syria and the fight against Daesh.
“We see ISIL [Daesh as] a long lasting threat. We can now use the momentum from the EU-Turkey summit, to coordinate our efforts. Having Incirlik [Airbase in Turkey] available for our planes would be a very welcomed gesture by our Turkish friends, also for technical reasons. Because, it’s a NATO airbase, its close by, it has very professional staff,” he said.
He also said that allies should make the fight against Daesh a main priority and take measures towards more efficient border controls.
He criticized recent remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who alleged that Turkey was buying oil from Daesh and supporting terrorist organizations.
“Putin’s accusation of Turkey for supporting terrorist groups is unfair and also not very constructive in order to calm down the tensions after the fighter plane incident,” Annen said.
Following the downing of a Russian warplane that violated Turkey’s airspace near the Syrian border on Nov. 24, Russia announced sanctions against Turkey.
Annen urged dialogue between Turkey and Russia in order to prevent new tensions.
He also underlined that Germany and NATO allies will continue their support for Turkey in protecting its airspace against possible threats from Syria.
“Our Article 5 commitment is not in doubt. We made it clear for all the members of the alliance. Our commitment is also clear regarding the security and integrity of our Turkish ally. Nobody should have doubts about it,” he said.
