"What do the competing parties say about EU membership?
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Cengiz AKTAR
Relations with the European Union are not even an electoral issue in the july 22 campaigns. Political parties think twice before mentioning EU. Let alone the EU— there are no other topics than the presidential race, secularism, terror, funerals of soldiers, flag and nation. The EU is included only in foreign policy sections of the party election programs. Therefore, no one talks about industrial, commercial, financial, educational, judicial, environmental, medical, and democratic gains, all in all the many benefits of a better social and individual life that will come along with EU membership. What is most cared about while writing about EU membership is, “Turkey, a leader country” and “our honor and pride.” Most opposition parties take the floor with a quick word on the EU subject, just like the past coup organizers who used to pledge, “we are loyal to the NATO and CENTO” in the first statement they issued on the radio following a military coup. "
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