Expert says Turkey needs to develop win-win model of cooperation with EU
Ankara's membership in the EU won't benefit Turkey, since any economic problem in the Union may destroy the Turkish economy, believes Naciye Selin Senocak, chair holder at UNESCO Cultural Diplomacy, Governance and Education Chair, Center for Diplomatic and Strategic Studies (CEDS).
Speaking to Trend June 13, Senocak didn't rule out that for a number of reasons, Turkey won't be able to become a member of the EU.
"There are many reasons hindering Turkey on this path," said the expert.
Senocak added that one of these reasons is young and dynamic population of Turkey that may compete with Germany from political and economic points of view.
Another important reason is the fact that Turkey is a Muslim country, and that is perceived as a cultural threat in the EU, according to the expert.
"In addition, the EU perceives political chaos in Turkey's neighboring countries as a real threat," said Senocak.
At the same time, she believes that Turkey itself doesn't really need the EU.
The EU is no longer an "island of hope and stability", as it can be seen from the economic problems in France and Greece, the EU policy towards migrants, as well as the expected June 23 referendum regarding UK's membership in the EU, said Senocak.
"Turkey needs to develop a model of cooperation with the EU on the win-win principle, as China did," the expert added.
She went on to add that in case if Turkey stops negotiations with the EU regarding the membership issue, the EU will immediately start propaganda about Turkey's radicalization with an aim to internationally isolate Ankara.
Senocak also believes that Turkey should resume relations with Russia, which is very important for stability in the region.
Earlier, the then prime minister and the current president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the EU continues to mislead Turkey [on the issue of accession] and this upsets the country.
Meanwhile, the Minister for EU Affairs Volkan Bozkir noted that the accession negotiations "cannot continue in the format required by the EU," and stressed that democracy in Turkey is at a higher level than in some European countries.
Ankara submitted its EU membership application in 1987, and negotiations on accession started only in 2005.
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