Turks should decide the fate of EU talks
The Brexit has caused a big earthquake at the center of the European Union. The champion of press freedoms and democracy, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker did not hesitate to protest a question from a journalist about the future of the EU, leaving the press conference hall.
The decision of the British people to leave the EU was unexpected not only for the British, but also for British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Now it seems that the six founding members of the EU, the foreign ministers of which came together just after the announcement of the referendum results, want the U.K.'s quick departure.
Other EU members could now take up discussions about the new reality of the EU. The EU has entered a phase of dissolution after an unsuccessful phase of enlargement.
In such an environment, Turkey will naturally question its long-lasting demand to become an EU member.
Turks should be asked to vote on the continuation of the country's EU accession talks, and voters need to be asked the very simple question of if they have you ever believed that the EU would grant membership status to Turkey.
Speaking at an iftar, fask-breaking dinner, in Istanbul organized by the All Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TÜMSİAD), President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan revealed an interesting anecdote.
During talks with a former foreign minister of France, Erdoğan, then prime minister, accompanied by then Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, was told that Turkey would never be granted EU membership.
"Why?" Erdoğan asked.
"Because you are a Muslim country," the French official answered.
"Then why did you include Turkey in NATO?" Erdoğan asked.
"It was a mistake," the French minister said, as stated by Erdoğan.
The position of European states vis-a-vis the place of Turkey in key institutions is hypocrisy.
And even at such a time with the refugee crisis deepening, the EU is dragging its feet concerning grating visa-free travel to Turkish citizens.
It is time for Turks to prepare a progress report for the EU to decide whether it has fulfilled Turks' criteria or not.
The decision of the British people to leave the EU was unexpected not only for the British, but also for British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Now it seems that the six founding members of the EU, the foreign ministers of which came together just after the announcement of the referendum results, want the U.K.'s quick departure.
Other EU members could now take up discussions about the new reality of the EU. The EU has entered a phase of dissolution after an unsuccessful phase of enlargement.
In such an environment, Turkey will naturally question its long-lasting demand to become an EU member.
Turks should be asked to vote on the continuation of the country's EU accession talks, and voters need to be asked the very simple question of if they have you ever believed that the EU would grant membership status to Turkey.
Speaking at an iftar, fask-breaking dinner, in Istanbul organized by the All Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TÜMSİAD), President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan revealed an interesting anecdote.
During talks with a former foreign minister of France, Erdoğan, then prime minister, accompanied by then Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, was told that Turkey would never be granted EU membership.
"Why?" Erdoğan asked.
"Because you are a Muslim country," the French official answered.
"Then why did you include Turkey in NATO?" Erdoğan asked.
"It was a mistake," the French minister said, as stated by Erdoğan.
The position of European states vis-a-vis the place of Turkey in key institutions is hypocrisy.
And even at such a time with the refugee crisis deepening, the EU is dragging its feet concerning grating visa-free travel to Turkish citizens.
It is time for Turks to prepare a progress report for the EU to decide whether it has fulfilled Turks' criteria or not.