CHP
CUMHURİYET HALK PARTİSİ
EU REPRESENTATION
- BRUSSELS
CHP PRESIDENT
MR. KEMAL KILIÇDAROĞLU’S
VISIT TO BRUSSELS
15 & 16 September 2010
C H P - R E P U B L I C AN P E O P L E ’ S P AR T Y - T U R K E Y (Member of the Socialist International) EU REPRESENTATION : 11, Rond Point Schuman 1040 – BRUSSELS T : + 322 256 75 37
brussels@chp.org.tr
http://brussels.chp.org.tr
Facebook & Twitter : CHP EU
DELEGATION : Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, President Mr. Haluk Koç, Vice-President Ms. Gülsün Bilgehan, Deputy Secretary-General Ms. Kader Sevinç, EU Representative
MEETINGS (in chronological order)
TOBB – Brussels (Turkish chambers of commerce and industry) TÜSIAD - Brussels (Turkish industry and business association)
Mr. Martin Schulz, President of the Socialists&Democrats, European Parliament
Belgian and EU politicians - Residence of the Turkish Ambassador Murat Ersavcı
European Parliament, Friends of Turkey Group Mr. Stefan Füle, Member of the European Commission (Enlargement)
European Policy Center – Round table: CHP: Social-Democratic Vision for Turkey’s EU Membership
Mr. Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists (PES)
European Parliament, S&D Group enlarged Steering Committee
ETUC – European Trade Unions Confederation Representation of the Turkish members of ETUC: Türk-İş, DİSK, Hak-İş
European Parliament, EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee members
Ambassador Selim Kuneralp, Turkish Permanent Representation to the EU
Ms. Laurette Onkelinx, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister
Representatives of the Belgian-Turkish community
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The Speech of Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu The European Policy Center – Brussels, 16 September 2010
CHP: SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC VISION FOR TURKEY’S EU MEMBERSHIP
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Guests, As the leader of the Republican People’s Party, I undertake my first journey to Brussels, the centre of the European Union. This has a special meaning for me and my party. This decision is a solid proof of our commitment to continue the accession process to the European Union, which was started by CHP in 1963 with the Ankara Agreement. I would like to share with you the words of İsmet İnönü, the second leader of our party, voiced as he was signing the Ankara Agreement, which gave Turkey the perspective of full membership to the European Union: The project of European integration is “the boldest work of human mind throughout the history of humanity.” Social democrats have carried Turkey in its European Union journey to this point. One of the most remarkable examples of the partnership of social democrats in both Turkey and the European Union is the decision taken at the Helsinki Summit of 1999. At the time of the summit, there were social democrats in power in major European countries and a coalition government led by social democrats in our country. I believe that the cooperation and solidarity of social democrats will carry Turkey into the European Union, as it was the case in the past. The first comprehensive amendment of the 1982 coup d’état Constitution in Turkey was carried out in August 2002 under the leadership of the social democrats. This change was the result of massbased political will built on social consensus. One-fifth of the 1982 Constitution was changed through the 2002 amendment which was called “the Silent Revolution.” Fundamental articles including the abolishment of the death penalty, recognition of cultural rights and bringing new guarantees for freedom of expression were among these bold changes. In the subsequent years of the reform process between 2002-2005, CHP contributed to the passing of reform packages in the Parliament, and provided support to the creation of the political will necessary for the process. However the AKP government has slowed down the reform process since 2005 and has given up its efforts to seek compromise and hence excluded the other political parties, civil society institutions and universities.
Hence, the aforementioned reforms have remained inadequate. Had they been enough, the courts with special powers would not have been able to terrorize the public. Had they been enough, there would not be 48 journalists in Turkish prisons today. Had they been enough, the phones of millions of citizens would not be tapped and their freedom of communication would not be violated. Had
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they been enough, an important percentage of the electoral will would not have been left out of the Parliament in the elections. As we have announced during the process of the Referendum, Turkey urgently needs a new constitution. We know that there is wide-spread societal demand for a new constitution. We want the following: • Granting the right of strike for civil servants; • Limitation of parliamentary immunity; • Lowering of the ten percent electoral threshold to acceptable levels; • Abolishment of the Higher Education Council (YÖK). In short, we want to advance rights and freedoms. And we would like to realize this through societal consensus. In the process of replacing the coup d’état constitution, we aim for the new constitution to guarantee the rule of law, pluralist democracy, and the principle of separation of powers. It is true that there are important problems in Turkish-EU relations today. Mutual lack of trust is the primary reason for this. Our primary expectation from the European Union is for it to uphold the principle of pacta sunt servanda concerning Turkey’s full membership. Turkey, meanwhile, should fulfil Copenhagen criteria for full membership. Mutual trust can only be obtained through common values. To this end, CHP is devoted to developing further the partnership and dialogue with the European Union. Our priorities regarding a “better Europe” are the following : A strong political and institutional structure for a new global order;
A re-identification in line with universal democratic values, human rights and cultural plurality to provide norms in this respect;
Becoming a more efficient stimulating power for the global order, that would have the power to deal with problems like financial crisis, climate change and war etc.;
Playing an efficient role in the creation of trans-atlantic economic space, in establishing productive relations with emerging Asia, dynamic South America and instable Africa and hence in establishing a welfare line from Central Asia to Mediterranean.
Proving its potential to transform into a larger internal market, social model and political union in an evolving world.
This is the Europe we need. In this context, CHP supports the ‘EU 2020’ vision. Our Party’s programme has been reorganised for the creation of a fair and competitive economic order. Our priorities regarding technological, ecologic and social development are in line with the EU 2020
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agenda. Youth employment, vocational training and SME support lie at the heart of CHP’s new programme. These are among the priorities of Socialists and Social Democrats in Europe as well. Hence CHP is ready for cooperation regarding EU 2020 priorities. As CHP, we greatly value Turkey’s European Union accession process for the role it can play in social democratic transformation of the country. The goal of full membership to the European Union is crucial for Turkey in both reaching the desired level of welfare, democracy and development and in strengthening Turkey’s influence in the region and the world. Turkey, as a member of the European Union, would enhance its standing in regional and international platforms and widen its sphere of influence as a model country that transmits accepted Western values such as democracy, human rights, and rule of law to other regions. The AKP government, does not exhibit a concrete will to transmit universal values like democracy, rule of law and human rights required by the EU accession process to Turkey’s neighbouring states, while claiming to play a pivotal and problem-solving role in the region. CHP, on the contrary, regards it very important to pursue a coordinated policy with the EU towards its neighbouring countries like Iran and Israel. A coordinated approach in this context would not be beneficial only for the EU and Turkey but also for the countries in the region. Hence CHP does not have an instrumental approach to the EU in foreign policy. EU accession process is an economic, political and social modernisation process for Turkey. The main principles especially emphasised by CHP are the following: •
Settling the civilian-military relations into a democratic base;
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Securing individual liberties;
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Improving human rights;
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Ensuring freedom of belief;
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Recognition of cultural rights;
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Strengthening gender equality;
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Improvement of trade union rights;
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Institutionalising transparency and accountability;
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Creating social market economy;
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Defending freedom of entrepreneurship;
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Removal of regional disparities.
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CHP deems the effectuation of the abovementioned principles absolutely essential not only for the EU membership but also for securing the pluralist and democratic nature of the regime in Turkey. There is another important issue I would like to share with you: the gradual development of fear in Europe towards radical religious movements. We observe that this fear also plays a negative role in Turkish-EU relations. CHP, which approaches this problem on the bases of secularism and freedom of belief, provides the greatest assurance. CHP is very keen on implementing decisive policies concerning this issue. For us, the participatory principle which is an essential requirement of democracy is a “sine qua non”. In this context, we are very determined to include all the segments of the society, including civil society organisations, political parties and academic circles to the EU accession process. Unfortunately AKP seems to be resolute in excluding Turkish society from the negotiation process. We are ready to do our utmost for more transparent and participatory conduct of EU accession process. It is observed that in the post-cold war era EU has been going through a comprehensive transformation process, confronting new problems and bearing new responsibilities. CHP is ready to play its part vis-a-vis these problems and responsibilities and prepared for co-operation. Turkey’s membership would positively contribute to the current transformation process of the EU. CHP is very keen on attaining EU membership for Turkey. We would not accept anything falling short of full membership. We know that Turkey would provide a new dynamism to the EU with its geography, economic vitality and trained human power. Turkey’s full membership will be an important factor in ensuring political, economic and social stability and combating security and terrorism problems in Turkey, EU and our neighbouring region. Before I conclude, I would like to re-emphasise CHP’s will to create a common future with the EU which is the most important peace and welfare project of the world.
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