EURODIALOGUE
Journal of International Relations, European, Economic and Social Studies
I had the chance to participate in during my visits to Turkey people speak of the “Erdogan Dictatorship” and contend that the only opposition to the government is the EU. Personally, I support the accession of Turkey to the EU. As a Cypriot, a citizen of a small state, I prefer a good caring democratic neighbour than a tough aggressive dictatorship expressing continuous threats towards us. I strongly believe that a Turkish accession will be the result of the Turkish reforms required and of the dramatic change of their policy towards Cyprus. The Cyprus issue must be resolved in accordance with the principles and values upon which the EU is founded; and Turkey must withdraw all troops and settlers from Cyprus before joining the EU. There are, of course, voices that argue that Turkish full membership may not materialize due to the conflict of interests on issues irrelevant to the unresolved Cyprus problem: some leading EU countries still do not wish to see Turkey as a full Member State. However, I wonder if the Turkish Islamists and conservatives still want Turkey to join the EU. In such a case, a “privileged partner” regime may be the only target we can achieve. However, I fully agree with the Turks that all these reforms should be done not for the sake of the EU but for a better democratic future of Turkey.
Turkey on the European doorstep
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