Feb 3 GPPi Debate focused on Turkey's EU accession

What are the implications of Turkish EU membership for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of Union? What are the consequences of a denial of membership? Are there alternatives? These were the questions that stood at the center of the first Foreign Policy Debate session that took place in Bad Homburg on February 8, 2005, moderated by Petra Pinzler, the European Editor of DIE ZEIT. Organized by the Global Public Policy Institute, supported by the German Marshall Fund,and hosted by the Herbert Quandt Foundation, this discussion brought together two leading German policymakers that have shaped public debate on Turkish EU accession over the past months, as well as an audience of more than 40 decision-makers predominantly from the private sector.

Cem Özdemir, Member of the European Parliament (Green Party), made the case for Turkish membership in the EU. He argued that with Turkey as a member, the EU would greatly enhance its geopolitical relevance, and could make a positive and forceful contribution to stabilizing the Middle East. Turkey could become a role model for other nations with a predominantly Muslim population, a thriving new democracy with great economic potential.

Freiherr Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, a Member of the German Bundestag (CSU), agreed that close cooperation between the EU and Turkey could be greatly beneficial from a geostrategic perspective. At the same time, zu Guttenberg questioned whether Turkey would need to become a full-fledged member of the EU. Instead, he maintained that a ​“privileged partnership” – deeper cooperation between the EU and Turkey on a wide range of economic, social, and political fronts – could be sufficient. While he would not reject Turkey as a member on ​“cultural” reasons, zu Guttenberg claimed that with Turkey as a member the original European political project may well come to an end. ​“Ever deeper integration” would become ever more difficult, the Union would over time stagnate and become a purely economic enterprise.

The audience appeared split on the issue and engaged in a lively debate. Various speakers voiced serious concerns about Turkish membership in the EU, either pointing to the still questionable human rights record, the state of the Turkish economy, or the potentially negative implications for further European political integration. Others, however, emphasized positive aspects of Turkish EU membership, such as Europe adding a potential economic powerhouse to its community. Also, at long last, Turkish membership would finally establish the EU as a serious foreign policy player on the international scene.