The EU has come a long way since the first steps were taken towards supra-nationality back in 1951, with the creation of the Coal and Steel Community. At the outset, the aim was to integrate economically the West European States, the original six EU States, in order to bring about a stable peace on a continent that had been ravaged by wars for centuries.
And indeed, that objective has been achieved. Today, war among the EU Member States is un-thinkable. Consequently, the focus of the EU has shifted towards a drive to secure fundamental freedoms and democracy in every part of Europe previously deprived of those rights. The half billion citizens of the EU has never been as free, never as secure and never as prosperous.
This is also what the enlargements of the EU has contributed to. Today, the EU is a beacon of freedom and democracy from the Polar Circle in the north, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the shores of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. By consecutive enlargements we had added to our vision of peaceful cooperation.
This is not the time to start closing the door to those Nations that wish to join the EU family. Let me more precise. By closing the door to Turkey or any other European Nation that qualify for EU membership, we also risk of creating instability within the EU.
And attempts to make the EU exclusive, instead of inclusive, would have a negative impact on EU:s global role in the field of foreign and security policy.
To achieve their objectives, the Member States have gradually given up more and more of their national sovereignty for the common good. This does not mean that the sovereignty of the individual Member State has simply vanished. It rather means that the Member States have chosen to pool their sovereignty to better meet the political challenges they face. And in the process the EU has gradually identified itself with a set of common values. It has become a Union of values.
As stated in the Lisbon Treaty (which we hope will come into force by the end of this year) – I quote - “The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail”.
However, the EU is not only founded on these values. It is also clear from the Treaty that it is the aim of the Union to promote these values, both within the EU and in the wider world. These values also constitute the conditions for becoming a member of the EU. They constitute the very foundation on which the EU is built.
Indeed, the will to change in the direction of meeting the rules, norms and values of the EU has always impacted on the speed of the accession process. It goes without saying that this is also the case for Turkey. It is the responsibility of the EU to assist Turkey on every step of the way by explaining what kind of changes will be necessary to fulfil the EU criteria. But in the end it is Turkey that has to undertake the necessary changes, be they technical or of a political nature. Becoming a member of a larger community will have far reaching effects on domestic law and on the institutional framework. For the EU is first and foremost a community of law, and not a community based on power.
For EU project to enjoy popular support, it is necessary to guarantee legal certainty for its citizens. A Swede, German, Italian – or in the future a Turk – must be assured that his or her rights are guaranteed in an equal manner in every corner of the EU. This can only be achieved in a legal community based on shared values.
The process of enlargements and the accession negotiations with Turkey has sparked an identity debate within the EU. This is not particularly strange. There has always been resistance from various quarters of the EU to admit new members. And of course, it has to be recognized that the accession of Turkey to the EU is slightly more complicated than enlarging with countries like Malta, or Sweden for that matter. Turkey will constitute the largest addition to the EU family so far.
To this end, and given the objection to Turkish membership of the EU from some European capitals, it should be recalled what is actually stated in the EU treaties in this regard. Thus, it is specified that the EU is open to “all European States which respect its values and are committed to promoting them together”. This is certainly a point to be made to those who object Turkish membership.
It should be noted that the concept of “Europe” is left undefined. It is, of course, true that geography sets the frame, but fundamentally it is the values that set the boarders of the EU and enlargement is a matter of extending the zone of European values.
Speaking about the accession of Turkey, I wish to make one thing crystal clear. Namely that religion has nothing at all to do with being a full member of the EU. And it never will.
It is true, however, that Christianity played a part in European history, but so did other religions, political ideologies, science and art, as well as ideas and philosophies emanating from such diverse directions as ancient Greece, Rome, the Far East, the renaissance movement and the humanist movement, to mention just a few influencing factors.
Having lived in Turkey for more than three years, it is obvious to me that Turkey has played an important part of this evolution of European values. And Turkey will continue to do so, not the least considering that Turkey is the second most important strategic partner of the EU after the United States.
In fact, if we continue to look back in time, way beyond the inception of the EU, it can be claimed that the history of Europe is inseparable from the history of the Eastern Mediterranean region. To separate this region from the rest of Europe would be tantamount to separating ourselves from our own history. This is certainly another point to be made to those who claim that Turkey does not belong in the EU.
As a result of the Lisbon Treaty, it was decided to refer to “drawing inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe”. To have a more inclusive approach in the Treaty was deemed essential, not the least because Europe today is ethnically and culturally much more diverse than ever before. This diversity requires us to be open and tolerant. The challenge is to strake a balance between embracing diversity on the one hand, and being firm in defining our values on the other hand.
Coming back to the process of consecutive enlargements of the EU, there is no doubt that this process has been nothing short of a success story, leading to the strengthening of the EU, internally as well as in global affairs. Even so, there has always been resistance to admit new members. This is not unique for Turkey. The UK was vetoed for 10 years by France. And my own country, Sweden, was initially told by some Member States of the EU that we did not belong in the EU.
However, we did not listen to those voices that wanted to keep Sweden out of the EU. We pursued the goal of full membership. Still, after finishing a long and challenging accession process, some 80 members of the European Parliament voted against Swedish membership of the EU. Obviously these parliamentarians believed Sweden did not belong in the EU, despite the fact that Sweden had fulfilled all the required criteria for membership.
What matters in the end is the will to change in the direction of the rules, norms and values that underpin the EU. This is my constant message to my Turkish colleagues and friends. I hope that this seminar will be seen also in that perspective, for I believe that the membership of Turkey to the EU is of mutual strategic importance, to Turkey and to the EU.
Thank you