Future of the EU, which is the most important supranational organization, Turkey’s place in EU was discussed at Western Platform.  The ideas that the EU cannot stand pluralism anymore, although it has been grounding pluralism and that the EU is in need of Turkey during its difficult times have arisen at the meeting. It was also discussed that a new form of a union similar to the EU might be established after what happened lately.

IS A NEW SUPRANATIONAL FORMATION POSSIBLE?

Expressing the difficult times EU is going through and possible collapse or shrinking of the EU, president of Western Platform Advisory Board and Former Minister of the European Union Egemen Bağış said, “ If you remember, EU has recommended us a “privileged partnership” status a short time ago. After Brexit and Italy referendum EU may offer “privileged partnership” to some of its member countries. Moreover, this situation can be a reason to establish a new formation similar to the EU. In this situation Turkey might have an important place in this new formation and can offer a “privileged partnership” to those who offered “privileged partnership” previously. There is a powerful opinion that EU remains passive against many incidents and it doesn’t have the same power like before.
EU, in fact, Recedes

Speaking as the main speaker during the meeting, AK Party Deputy President and former Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Mehdi Eker said that the EU has been established after World War II after a very bloody period, on top of values such as law, democracy, human rights, open economy and pluralism to avoid such catastrophic events from happening again. Global corporatization of the European Union is now questionable because it no longer utilizes the values that come with pluralism. Besides, it is seen as a failure that the EU has no direct security organization. Although EU has many successes on its territory, it has failed in Mediterranean, Black Sea and in Ukraine. This progress made the future of the EU highly questionable. Finally, the reasons such as Brexit; resignation of Italian Prime Minister after rejection of some changes on Italian constitution; Norway, Iceland and Sweden’s unwillingness to become a full member of the EU, makes the question  “is the EU on the brink of collapse?”

“ The geography of the EU has been governed by monarchies for decades therefore they cannot embrace the idea of pluralism. Everything recedes. When the pains of the World War II were healed, the EU returned to its basics. We are part of the western society. We have been adopting ourselves into western values. However we have quite different cultures. We can lean on Western Values and improve ourselves and integration to the EU. We can also use Turkey’s strategic position between the West and the East to contribute Europe. If EU wants to have a sustainable and a plural structure, they should integrate with other civilizations other than themselves. In current situation the most suitable candidate is Turkey”
 
The Idea of Turkey Being the Rescue for the EU

During the Q&A session Former Minister of Tourism Bülent Akarcalı said that the EU was established as a third power against USA and the Soviet Union. England, which is the most important Anglo-Saxon culture representative along with USA, was included in the EU at a later time. “The weakest point of the EU is that they do not have any military power. England has anticipated the failure of the EU’s future and have not become a member and ultimately, left the EU with Brexit. In 1963, EU had a great pleasure when Turkey preferred EU rather than its alternative EFTA. Today we are the only country which is able to make the EU happy. Because NATO does not support the EU organically. If Turkey becomes a partner of the EU, it rescues EU officially.”

“ TURKEY SHOULD BENEFIT FROM EUROPEAN TURKS”

Attending the meeting from Kosovo, Orhan Lopar, an official from Kosovo Foreign Ministry, noted that in reality the mission of pluralism of the EU does not exist and added, ” Having no Muslim director at the management level at the EU and or at a member county is clearly the proof of this. Turkey is our satellite and that night they wanted to destroy our satellite. Our existence in their country as Turkey as well as as Turkish people living in Europe is a potential danger for them. That’s why they don’t want to accept us. Although since Ottoman Empire  we have been following Western countries, Turkish People who lives in European Countries were given due importance. We have been remembered for the last 15 years. Turkey should benefit from Turkish People who lives in European Countries”

“ WE HAVE TURNED OURSELVES TOWARDS THE WEST SINCE THE CENTRAL ASIA”

Dr. Mustafa Aydın who has delivered the closing speech said, ” We have been following Western countries since the Central Asia. We have changed our alphabet, culture and home just to be close to the Western countries. We can’t change our direction now. That’s why it is impossible to give up to be part of the EU. Our stance at the table should remain the same although our works in the field may change. Truth is true everywhere. However we should review our relations between us. There is only one rescuer for EU that is Turkey which has young educated population, stable economy and politics. Otherwise it is really normal to have other countries leave the EU like England. This can be a reason of a new formation. And also a new opportunity for Turkey to strengthen its feature to become a regional power.”

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