Selling Out

The question of Turkey's probable membership in the EU is in the forefront now that France is preparing to preside over the European Union for half a year, beginning July 1. Prime Minister François Fillon and secretary of State for European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet are sending ambiguous messages about the role France intends to play in the process of accepting (or rejecting) Turkey.

Joachim Véliocras writing at Islamisation, using Yves Daoudal as one source, summarizes the most recent remarks by French officials:

François Fillon's remarks about Turkey and the European Union, made during his visit to Cyprus are a true example of muddled speech à la Sarkozy. In a few sentences, he went from refusing Turkey's membership to accepting it.

First sharp words against Turkey for occupying the northern part of Cyprus: "We cannot imagine how any country would want to adhere to the European Union when its army is occupying territory of another EU country."

Then the opposition on principle: "Turkey's membership in Europe is not a good solution."

Followed immediately by its negation: "There still exist too many obstacles to this membership. A privileged partnership between the European Union and this great country that is Turkey is a necessary stage."

Note: By "privileged partnership" he is referring no doubt to Sarkozy's plan for a "Mediterranean Union", a project quashed by Angela Merkel, but reformulated now as the "Union for the Mediterranean."

There are "still today" too many obstacles. If Turkey removes them, it can join the EU. But we take note especially of the new element introduced by François Fillon: the "privileged partnership" is no longer an alternative to membership, as Nicolas Sarkozy led us to believe, it is a "stage" on the road leading inevitably to membership...

Proof? Nicolas Sarkozy is very careful not to shout it on the rooftops, but the French presidency of the European Union goes hand in hand with the opening of new negotiations on Turkey's membership.

Jean-Pierre Jouyet, secretary of State for European Affairs, a socialist and overtly pro-Turkey, has just confirmed this in an article with the Turkish daily Sabah, dated May 6, 2008:

Q - Once France is President of the European Union beginning July 1, will we feel justified in expecting a more neutral position on the Turkish question?

A - The French presidency of the European Union will be, as it should be for any European presidency, objective and federating. We also hope to be in a position to open one or several new chapters of negotiation . That presupposes that Turkey will resolutely and rapidly exert an effort to satisfy the criteria for the opening of these talks.

The juridical framework of negotiations remains the full and entire membership of Turkey... no alternative is provided for by the commissioner on expansion Ollie Rehn, who confided to deputy Paul-Marie Coûteaux that membership will take place in 4 years...

Meanwhile, Le Figaro reported on the message delivered by Queen Elizabeth II to Turkish president Abdullah Gul:

On the occasion of a banquet in her honor hosted by President Abdullah Gul, the queen described Turkey as a "confident and dynamic democracy", and pled for closer ties between Ankara and London.

"In this country, the perspective of accession to the European Union has already inspired changes that are improving the lives of its citizens." (...) "Abroad, Turkey holds a unique position as bridge between East and West at a crucial moment for the European Union and the world in general," she added. The queen, 82, and Prince Philip arrived in Ankara for a four-day State visit to Turkey. (...)

Finally, here are the opening paragraphs of an article posted at EU Observer:

France – one of staunchest opponents of Turkey's EU membership bid – has said it will not hinder the country's accession process during its time at the head of the 27-nation bloc, starting in July.

"France has no intention of breaking up Turkey's negotiation process," French secretary of state for European affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet was quoted as saying on Tuesday (6 May) after meeting Turkish foreign minister Ali Babacan in Ankara.

France's president, Nicolas Sarkozy, has repeatedly voiced his opposition to Turkey's EU accession, saying that the country does not belong to Europe.

Mr Jouyet underlined, however, that the French presidency of the EU in the second half of this year would be "objective, impartial and balanced," according to French news agency AFP.

The image, from the Karanlik Church in Cappadocia depicts the kiss of Judas and the betrayal of Christ who had gone to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. You can read more here. And check out the whole website of remarkable photos of Turkey by Dick Osseman.