Turkey continues to push for accession into the European Union. But as with all things political, its not very straightforward. Especially when France and Germany, the most influential actors in the E.U., are against it happening for the moment. But why would they be so against it?
Well its obvious with France isn't it. Somehow or other it is felt that the 1789 legacy came with a heady dose of patriotism. Egalite for the 'Others'? No of course not; Lost it ain't! Or perhaps its because Nicolas Sarkozy's paternal ancestor on his Hungarian father's side was 'ennobled on 10. September, 1628 for his role in fighting the armies of the Ottoman empire' - according to Wikipedia.
But Germany's ambivalence is less clear. Especially since Germany and Turkey have enjoyed cordial relations since the 2nd World War, with many Turkish Gastarbeiter staying on in Germany and making the Vaterland home. One of those of course was the star of the Germany football team at this year's World Cup: Mesut Ozil.
Where is the 2nd biggest Turkish city in the world? Why, its Berlin obviously!
But Turkey is useful to the European Union. While it cradles the edges of Europe and Asia Minor, it doesn't threaten Christendom since Istanbul used to be Constantinople - its got Christian roots! The famous Hagia Sophia, an exemplar of Byzantine architecture, was a cathedral and then a mosque. Indeed, Turkey holds a key strategic location acting as a buffer for Europe against the volatile Middle East. It is secular and democratic - well, ish - and until a few months ago enjoyed good relations with Israel - that 'American outpost'. Economically, Turkey is booming - you don't start hosting a Grand Prix without a little bit of money. Bahrain, check; Singapore, check; Turkey, another check.
So what is holding the E.U. back? The bold, moral diplomacy of post World War II may be just a distant memory - no one remembers the guilt of the Vichy government and National Socialism anymore - as it has evolved into an altogether different beast to something nobody ever imagined. English apathy to the E.U. is understandable: "Fish quotas! 35 hour E.U. work directive! You're havin' a girAffe (laugh in laymen words)!" No wonder that Lisbon Treaty fell a bit flat. The near bankruptcy of Greece hasn't helped either - we should dearly sympathize with the Liberal Democrats!
Football fans, as I have previously noted, are not the brightest sort but I did give out a chesty laugh when the E.U. flag was mistaken for the Hungarian one. An E.U. anthem sounds ludicrous in this context!
When the E.U. was formed, it turned European politics on its head. Its a misnomer. International relations theorists had to invent neofunctionalism. It is sad somewhat the higher ideal of European integration is not humanist enough to feel that "hüzün" – that peculiarly Turkish sense of nostalgic melancholy - is compatible with Western European values.
So what is the hold up to Turkey's E.U. accession? Are the reasons historical and idealistic or... tactical and pragmatic? It could turn out a bit of a mess if we're not careful... right? Let's imagine this:
"We, the Turks, promise to be democratic and a mediator in the Middle East to prevent the spread of extremist religious sentiment. But just for jokes, we can threaten Israel for blockading Gaza. What are the Americans doing here, do they not understand sarcasm? Evidently not. Now what? We don't want our army declaring martial law again; where's Interpol when we need them?"
It used to be so much more simple for the likes of Suleiman the Magnificent in the glorious Ottoman era. To consolidate your rule as the Sultan of the realm spreading from just outside Vienna to the mountains of Anatolia, you would just kill all of your brothers. You wouldn't want them stealing your crown and not giving it back!
The story would start, "Once upon a time, there was a Sultan..."
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