Cyprus-Forum.com

[turkkan]

Lagendijk says some EU states hiding behind Cyprus
Joost Lagendijk
Joost Lagendijk, chairman of the delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, has said European Union member states have the ability to do “behind the scenes” work to make sure that there will be a solution on the divided island of Cyprus as soon as possible, but that some of them are not willing to do this.
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“Some countries like to hide behind the Cyprus problem -- for example, the French government and the Austrians. The majority of the EU states who are in favor of Turkish accession should make it clear within the EU, to the French, to the Austrians and, of course, to the Cypriots, that it is in the EU’s interest to have this issue solved,” he said.

He warned that if the current negotiations between the isolated Turkish north and the Greek south, which is already in the EU, for the unification of the island fail, there may not be a solution for the next 10 years or, even worse, the island may become permanently divided.

In an interview with Monday Talk, Lagendijk, who is preparing to retire from politics and move to Turkey in the summer, elaborated on the Cyprus problem and other issues in Turkish and EU politics.

‘Some countries like to hide behind the Cyprus problem -- for example, the French government and the Austrians. The majority of the EU states who are in favor of Turkish accession should make it clear within the EU, to the French, to the Austrians and, of course, to the Cypriots, that it is in the EU's interest to have this issue solved’

What do you think will change the public’s decreasing support for Turkey’s membership in the EU?

It has gone down substantially, and there are several reasons for that. One is the fact that important people within the EU keep speaking against Turkey. [French President Nicolas] Sarkozy is the main example. That makes people in Turkey think the whole European Union is against Turkey, even though Sarkozy does not speak on behalf of the EU. Still, it’s an important signal picked up by people, and they begin to think, “Whatever we do, we will not be accepted.” Psychologically, it affects people negatively. Secondly, the EU is focused on its internal functioning, because the new constitution was not adopted in 2005 and we are now trying to adopt the Lisbon Treaty, which should make the EU more effective and more democratic. And this trend of looking inward has been strengthened by the economic crisis. People think, “Let’s deal with our own stuff before inviting new guests into the house.” In a way, it’s a logical reaction.

Are there more reasons?

There is also a lack of visionary politicians in Europe. Too many politicians who were in favor of Turkey’s accession in 2004, because of these internal problems in Europe, tend to forget about the long-term and strategic aims of the EU and Turkey. They don’t speak against it, but they don’t support the project as strongly as they did, either. Lastly, the EU made a major mistake in its Cyprus policy. This is one of the most important reasons that support for the EU in Turkey has gone down. The EU has not delivered on its promises to northern Cyprus. That has created a lot of bad blood in Turkey, for good reason.

Aren’t you too optimistic, as many people say of you in Turkey?

I spoke with so many Turkish people before December 2004, and they said: “The EU will never accept us. You are too optimistic.” But then Turkey started accession negotiations with the EU. So the ones who were opposed then have become much more vocal since 2005 and 2006. Then what you need from the politicians is to keep on making the case for the EU. That has not happened strongly enough. The Turkish government was also focused on internal functioning, partly for understandable reasons when you think about the elections, the problems in 2007 and the court case against the ruling party. Everybody has understood that they needed to expend energy internally. But after the elections and after the court case was finalized, we expected the government to make a case, saying that this is a long-term project and it is to our advantage so let’s return to the reforms. If not, the public starts thinking “It is not important for the politicians, so why should it be important for us?” This was the mood in 2008.
‘Signs indicate Turkey returning to reform process’

What has changed since then?

This started to change at the beginning of this year with the appointment of Egemen Bağış [as Turkey’s chief EU negotiator]. That sent a positive signal. With Ali Babacan in Europe, everybody understood that being a foreign minister of Turkey and being so active in the region, you can’t combine that with being a full-time chief negotiator for Turkey in the EU. You have to be in Brussels, you have to lobby for that. So it’s good to have a full-time person now. And it’s good to have a person who has good contacts and influence on the prime minister. Another good sign is TRT 6 [the new state-run Kurdish language television station]. That’s a positive sign that was unimaginable 10 years ago. There are also ongoing talks with Alevi leaders and the Alevi community. I hope this will produce a compromise between the government and the Alevis. There are also efforts to make progress between Turkey and Armenia. All these signs have been taken positively [as meaning] that Turkey is returning to the reform process. More needs to be done on the Kurdish issue. That’s where we are now.

He explains: “I write as a European politician, she writes as a Turkish journalist on how things are perceived in Europe and Turkey -- which are sometimes very different. It’s about how we can overcome our differences. In the end, there is a strong argument in favor of Turkey’s EU accession. She has written much more than I did. I have to work on finalizing my mandate in the parliament. I hope after moving to Turkey I can finish the book here before September.”

I would like to return to the Cyprus issue. In a recent interview with Monday Talk, Egemen Bağış said the Greek side lacks motivation for progress in solving the problem and that there is a need for a policy of carrots and sticks, which was missing from the Annan plan. Do you think it is possible for the EU to adopt such a policy at this stage to make the Greek side feel more motivated?

It is. And I agree with him that it is desirable. The point is how to do it, because you have to be careful not to be seen as the big bully pushing the small, poor Greek Cypriots to accept all kinds of things they don’t want to accept. The main role for both the EU and the Turkish government is behind the scenes to make it clear that we would like to have a solution as soon as possible. The same goes for [Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan. If he says we want [Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali] Talat to do this and that, that would be counterproductive. For the EU, the question is not whether they are able to do it; the question is whether they are willing to do it.

Are they willing to do it?

Some countries like to hide behind the Cyprus problem -- for example, the French government and the Austrians. The majority of EU states who are in favor of Turkish accession should make it clear within the EU, to the French, to the Austrians and, of course, to the Cypriots, that it is in the EU’s interest to have this issue solved. The UK, Sweden and the majority of the EU states can do it. It is an important point to stress, because many people in Europe and Turkey have the idea that Mr. Sarkozy and the Austrians are speaking on behalf of the EU.

You do not count German Chancellor Angela Merkel?

Mrs. Merkel is in between, because she can’t speak out fully, since there is a coalition government. That could change after the elections in Germany, of course.

Do you think the equation might change in favor of Turkey after the elections in Germany?

The equation is in favor of Turkey. People tend to forget that all the Mediterranean countries, all the Anglo-Saxon countries, all the Scandinavian countries and the new member states are in favor of Turkey’s accession. The problem is in Germany, France, Austria, the Netherlands and Cyprus. These are the five out of 27.
‘Cyprus problem should be solved immediately’

But these five have a lot of power.

They are powerful countries. They have a lot of influence. It means a lot. I am not underestimating the resistance. What Mr. Sarkozy likes to do, if you remember after [US President Barack] Obama spoke out in favor of Turkey in Prague, he said: “I remain against [Turkey’s membership]. And I am sure I speak on behalf of the majority of the member states.” That’s not true. That’s why I stress the point that the majority of the EU member states should push behind the scenes, in a diplomatic way, not only Cyprus, but also the countries protecting Cyprus, like France, Austria and Greece -- the Greeks have a bit of double position there -- to make it clear to the Cypriots that it’s in our interest to solve the issue and it’s in the Greek Cypriots’ interest, because if this process fails, if these negotiations do not produce results, you can forget about a solution for the next 10 years. It may even come down to the division of the island. This is not in the interest of the Greek Cypriots. The Greek Cypriots realize that, and that’s why they voted in favor of [Dimitris] Christofias, not [Tassos] Papadopoulos. If the Greek Cypriots who live in the south want their property back in the north, they had better make a deal.

If the ruling pro-reunification Republican Turks Party (CTP) loses support in northern Cyprus, is that going to be a major source of trouble?

It’s worrisome when it leads Talat to the conclusion that he should be tougher or more inflexible in the negotiations. It should be a sign to him that the best way to regain political support is to make a deal. He has the potential to be the Cypriot leader who brought about reunification of the island. That’s the only way forward. If he doesn’t deliver at the end of this year or at the beginning of next year, he will go down as another Cypriot leader who did not make it, and then he will be strongly punished in the next presidential elections.

Do you have any ideas about why nationalism has been on the rise in northern Cyprus?

It’s on the rise everywhere. People want to see a solution, but they don’t see one coming. They have the frustration of being isolated. The EU is not delivering on its promises. People are getting fed up with the situation. They were expecting a lot a couple of years ago, and it’s not happening. So they think maybe they should not be talking to the Greek Cypriots and they think they should be tougher to gain some self-esteem. But this approach doesn’t give you a solution. It gives you a good feeling. It happens not only in northern Cyprus, but in parts of the EU, as well. You see that in the Balkans.

If we go back to President Obama’s messages in support of Turkey, do you think it might negatively affect the way Europeans think because they perceive it as the US meddling with their own work?

One should make a distinction there between the public opinion and politicians. Politicians who are against Turkey’s accession will not change their minds because of Mr. Obama. Sarkozy had not said anything about Turkey for nine months or so, but now a little bit of provocation by Mr. Obama and he did. But when it comes to public opinion, they like Mr. Obama and when he makes a case for Turkey’s accession, it has a positive influence. Mr. Bush made the same statement in 2004 and then even the ones who were in favor of Turkey’s accession said, “Please, it’s for us to decide, not for the Americans.”
‘Swedish term presidency is good’

How do you evaluate French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner’s recent turnabout against Turkey?

Opportunism. I’m afraid I have to be as tough as that. I don’t normally like to accuse politicians of opportunism, but in his case, up to now he was in favor, which was a courageous position to take because, as a socialist, he is a member of a right-wing government that is against Turkey’s accession. But using the NATO summit as a reason to change his opinion is unbelievable. Turkey made a point about [newly elected NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh] Rasmussen and his perception in the Muslim world. The Roj TV and the Muhammad cartoons are not strong points, but the fact is that Rasmussen’s impression in the Muslim world, whether Europeans like it or not, is a point that should be discussed. For a French foreign minister to blame Turkey for doing that is hypocritical. As elections approach, he may have been pressured by Sarkozy to change his opinion and he may have been looking for an excuse.

The Swedish turn in the EU presidency is approaching. The Swedish government has supported Turkey’s accession. Will their term presidency help Turkey in terms of obtaining more concrete results?

The Swedish presidency is good. Carl Bildt is very favorable. At the same time, he knows for sure that he has to act as the chair of the EU. So he cannot act as the Swedish prime minister. He has to balance different views. But we know he wants Turkey in and he doesn’t want to create a crisis at the end of this year, especially concerning the Cyprus issue.

What will happen after the Swedish term presidency? Who will be the next president?

Many people, including myself, are hoping that during the Swedish presidency the Lisbon Treaty will be ratified by Ireland. The Czechs may ratify it as well. If the Lisbon Treaty comes into force, we won’t have the rotating presidencies anymore.

20 April 2009, Monday
YONCA POYRAZ DOĞAN İSTANBUL

[Piratis]

Who is hiding is none else than Lagendijk himself. He totally failed in his mission. Turkey is still the undemocratic, 3rd world, military ruled country that it has always been. It was not made more European and all the "reforms" are only skin deep.

The vast majority of the European people do not want Turkey in EU, and this is shown in every poll made. EU politicians that want Turkey in EU like Lagendijk represent only a small minority.

The European people are clear: They do not want in their union an uncivilized Turkey which does not respect human rights, does not obey International law and spends more money to maintain a huge army to invade and occupy an EU country instead of investing that money to improve the standards of living of the Turkish citizens so they will not flood the EU if Turkey is accepted as an EU member.

Lagendijk and the minority of pro-Turks within EU should understand that such Turkey will never be accepted in EU. The majority of the Europeans care about human rights far more than pipe-lines and money, which is the only motive for those unethical scumbags like Lagendijk who want Turkey in EU.

Therefore, if they want Turkey in EU they should emphasize their efforts in making Turkey a democratic, law obeying country, which respects human rights and international law. If/when Turkey is turned into a civilized country then the majority of the Europeans will accept Turkey.

Until then, the human rights violations and the illegal occupation of Cyprus will keep Turkey out of EU. If the human rights record of Turkey and the way Turkey behaves toward EU member Cyprus (and Greece) are not perfectly valid reasons to block the Turkish accession, then what is? How much oil can pass from Turkey to Europe? Sorry Lagendijk (and Turks) but most Europeans do not think in the way you do.

[AWE]

Until then, the human rights violations and the illegal occupation of Cyprus will keep Turkey out of EU.

and Cyprus divided.

[Sotos]

Until then, the human rights violations and the illegal occupation of Cyprus will keep Turkey out of EU.

and Cyprus divided.

Divided illegally. And after we will win the Orams case we are coming after the rest of the filth like you. Get ready

[YFred]

Until then, the human rights violations and the illegal occupation of Cyprus will keep Turkey out of EU.

and Cyprus divided.

Divided illegally. And after we will win the Orams case we are coming after the rest of the filth like you. Get ready

If you win, which is in doubt, it will take 1 million years judging by the court's speed. Good luck.

[Sotos]

Until then, the human rights violations and the illegal occupation of Cyprus will keep Turkey out of EU.

and Cyprus divided.

Divided illegally. And after we will win the Orams case we are coming after the rest of the filth like you. Get ready

If you win, which is in doubt, it will take 1 million years judging by the court's speed. Good luck.

When there is a precedence the rulings will come much faster and will be many more

[YFred]

Until then, the human rights violations and the illegal occupation of Cyprus will keep Turkey out of EU.

and Cyprus divided.

Divided illegally. And after we will win the Orams case we are coming after the rest of the filth like you. Get ready

If you win, which is in doubt, it will take 1 million years judging by the court's speed. Good luck.

When there is a precedence the rulings will come much faster and will be many more

Sotos, if the court could decide, then there is no need for UN. It is impossible for the court to decide.

[Sotos]

Until then, the human rights violations and the illegal occupation of Cyprus will keep Turkey out of EU.

and Cyprus divided.

Divided illegally. And after we will win the Orams case we are coming after the rest of the filth like you. Get ready

If you win, which is in doubt, it will take 1 million years judging by the court's speed. Good luck.

When there is a precedence the rulings will come much faster and will be many more

Sotos, if the court could decide, then there is no need for UN. It is impossible for the court to decide.

Once again you will be proven wrong. I will collect all your predictions and in the future I will open a thread with the title "the million times that YFred was wrong"

[YFred]

Until then, the human rights violations and the illegal occupation of Cyprus will keep Turkey out of EU.

and Cyprus divided.

Divided illegally. And after we will win the Orams case we are coming after the rest of the filth like you. Get ready

If you win, which is in doubt, it will take 1 million years judging by the court's speed. Good luck.

When there is a precedence the rulings will come much faster and will be many more

Sotos, if the court could decide, then there is no need for UN. It is impossible for the court to decide.

Once again you will be proven wrong. I will collect all your predictions and in the future I will open a thread with the title "the million times that YFred was wrong"

I look forward to not seeing them.

[Viewpoint]

Who is hiding is none else than Lagendijk himself. He totally failed in his mission. Turkey is still the undemocratic, 3rd world, military ruled country that it has always been. It was not made more European and all the "reforms" are only skin deep.

The vast majority of the European people do not want Turkey in EU, and this is shown in every poll made. EU politicians that want Turkey in EU like Lagendijk represent only a small minority.

The European people are clear: They do not want in their union an uncivilized Turkey which does not respect human rights, does not obey International law and spends more money to maintain a huge army to invade and occupy an EU country instead of investing that money to improve the standards of living of the Turkish citizens so they will not flood the EU if Turkey is accepted as an EU member.

Lagendijk and the minority of pro-Turks within EU should understand that such Turkey will never be accepted in EU. The majority of the Europeans care about human rights far more than pipe-lines and money, which is the only motive for those unethical scumbags like Lagendijk who want Turkey in EU.

Therefore, if they want Turkey in EU they should emphasize their efforts in making Turkey a democratic, law obeying country, which respects human rights and international law. If/when Turkey is turned into a civilized country then the majority of the Europeans will accept Turkey.

Until then, the human rights violations and the illegal occupation of Cyprus will keep Turkey out of EU. If the human rights record of Turkey and the way Turkey behaves toward EU member Cyprus (and Greece) are not perfectly valid reasons to block the Turkish accession, then what is? How much oil can pass from Turkey to Europe? Sorry Lagendijk (and Turks) but most Europeans do not think in the way you do.

Turkey is not a European country and should look elsewhere for developing unions.....thuse removing any leverage the "RoC" has over Turkey where would thet leave you GCs? Up the swanny without a paddle me thinks.