Turkey: „Perhaps We Will Never Join the EU“

Turkey: „Perhaps We Will Never Join the EU“ / Picture: © Vindobona.org

Turkey will possibly stay outside the EU, Bagis wrote in a guest comment for the British newspaper “Telegraph”. According to Bagis, the behavior of a number of EU members is compromising. “The EU does not harm us. But when they let us wait, they leave themselves open to harm.”

Moreover, he argues that many EU countries still have enormous prejudices. Above all, Germany, France and Austria are most skeptical.

In general, Turkey´s foreign policy has become more unpredictable in the last years. Turkey has asked Russia´s President Vladimir Putin for admission in the so called “Shanghai Five” (Shanghai Cooperation Organization). “Then we will say good-bye to the EU.” Erdogan said at the beginning of the year.

At the beginning of this year, Erdogan announced that wants Turkey should shift its economic focus from Europe to Asia, Turkey´s chief economic advisor Yigit Bulut recommends that Turkey should re-consider its economic strategy. Bulut wants his country to leave the customs union. “On the one hand, the EU exports its goods to Turkey without any problems. On the other hand, Brussels imposes many restrictions on Turkey´s exports to the EU. This creates an enormous damage for the Turkish economy.”

Nevertheless, Turkey continues the accession talks with Brussels. In October, both parties will start a new negotiation chapter. Bagis thinks that Turkey may only negotiate on a special free trade agreement.