EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT : Questions if Turkey still role model for Middle East after Gezi events
27 June 2013 /SELÇUK GÜLTAŞLI, BRUSSELS – The European Parliament (EP), the EU’s parliamentary institution, has been discussing whether the Turkish model, which was held up as an example to the Middle Eastern countries in transition, has failed after the Gezi Park protests that spread across the country, according to a recent briefing by the policy department of director-general for external policies of EP.
The briefing report obtained by Today’s Zaman was prepared for the 72nd EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting that is scheduled to take place on June 27-28. The parliamentary meeting, which has been in question due to the protests in Turkey, was scheduled to take place in Brussels.
The 26-page briefing report titled ‘Turkey:Still a model for Arab countries?’, which was drafted to provide European deputies with an analysis of the political and socio-economic situation in Turkey before the meeting, has opened a discussion over whether Turkey is “still a model for Arab countries.”
The document defines Turkey as “a non-Arab secular democracy where Islam and democracy co-exist” and an actor that “could certainly have an ‘inspiring’ effect on democratic movements in [Middle Eastern and North African] countries.”
Noting that Turkey had been seen as an example to be followed by Arab countries, especially after the regime changes in Egypt and Tunisia, the document said that such an image has now been tarnished due to the government’s stance during the Gezi Park events.
“While Turkey once served as an example to the troubled areas of North Africa and the Near East, recent demonstrations in the country have undermined its credibility as a model of a secular democracy,” the report noted.
In terms of positive developments, the EP document mentions the successfully ongoing settlement process with the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the revival of ties with the EU, with a new chapter in the acquis communautaire being opened for negotiations recently. “[A] ceasefire with the Turkish authorities led to the withdrawal of PKK fighters from the Turkish territories in May, creating a sense of hope in the country that it might at last be possible to resolve the Kurdish issue. In addition, the Irish Presidency of the EU has also pushed for deeper cooperation between Turkey and the Union. After years of deadlock, a new chapter in Turkey’s accession negotiations may open soon,” the report stated. The document also appreciated the steps taken by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government “to resolve the Alevi problems and to decrease the role of military in the state apparatus.”
‘The government made also improvements to decrease themilitary’s role and influence in the decision making structures in the stateapparatus. However, in this sphere there is still more work to be done,particularly in terms of transparency and civil oversight of the military spending.’ said the document. However, serious problems still remain in the areas of human rights and freedom of expression, the report stated. The report also mentioned the excessive police force used on the Gezi Park protesters, injuring around 1,000 people, and also criticized the “inadequacy” of the Turkish mass media channels in their coverage of the violent clashes.