An Arab proverb says: “Whenever there is a war, they call me. Whenever a date meal is cooked, they call Amr”. This proverb came to mind when I read Friday’s article in the British magazine The Economist titled “Europe’s reluctant reconciliation with Turkey”. The article emphasizes that Europe needs Turkey (and Ukraine) more than ever for its own security. Because America is withdrawing from Europe and Russia is threatening Europe. Europe does not have enough weapons and does not have a proper army to fight.
It sounds exaggerated, but if Europe is really scared and believes that it needs to knock on Turkey’s door to overcome this fear, such advice is good news for Turkey. However, when you read the article, it is immediately clear that the recent friendship with Turkey is not out of love but out of necessity. Because whenever such articles appear, they do not neglect to insult President Erdoğan. As a matter of fact, there are criticisms against the President again.
As the article confirms, it is now clear that Europe wants Turkey on its side. But only when fighting. It is obvious that it does not want Turkey with it on good days. For example, we are all witnesses to what they put Turkey through for a visa to go to a European country. If Turkey becomes part of the European security architecture, it is doubtful whether visas will be lifted. You are committed to defend Europe, but they are not committed to free movement. They want you to die for them and then they tell you to go and die outside, for example at the front. They will call Turkey to war and Yorgo to dinner…
As I have mentioned before, instead of winking at Europe on bad days, it would be better to adopt a more accommodating stance. In recent years, Turkey has pursued an independent policy because it has been shunned by both the US and the EU. It has also emphasized domestic arms production because of embargoes. As The Economist underlines, Turkey has national advanced weapons. And it is these weapons and our highly combat-capable army that they covet. But the military power they covet is the product of our independent stance. In other words, the more tense relations with the West have become, the stronger Turkey has become. In other words, the further away from their doorstep, the stronger we became.
If this independence continues, Turkey will become even more valuable. Still, it is possible to cooperate. But the cost of allying with a valuable country is also high. As you can see, Trump is getting hundreds of billions of dollars of investment from many countries. For example, he wants 1 trillion dollars from Saudi Arabia. We are not America. But being a good ally in a bad time should come at a price. For example, there should be free movement of people and goods. That is, there should be visa liberalization and the customs union should apply to all goods.
Equals on the front line cannot be treated as immigrants in civilian life. It would be like African-Americans who fought in the world war being made to sit at the back of the buses after returning from the war. If Turkey is to be let in the door, it should not be as a servant. Those days are over. Everyone should get what they deserve according to their power and means.
