EU — what’s the reality?

Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri

During discussion with my Professor about the possibility of the major Muslim
countries like Pakistan, Turkey and Iran integrating into an Economic Union, I was
faced with a veiled rebuke. My Professor, while terming such a possibility as non-
starter in the first place, forbade me to mix religion with economy. His contention was
that religion was a hindrance rather than an enabling factor in forming any economic
union.

In reply to my mention of European Union as being ‘Christian Club’ held together by

the factor of religious homogeneity and its persistent refusal to allow Turkey in, he
got infuriated and took strong exception to my argument. The Professor could not
offer even a single argument to support his viewpoint and negate mine.

My labeling of the European Union being a Christian Union is not driven by any bias
or hatred or emotions. Turkey’s unsuccessful bids to find a place in the EU illustrate it
too authoritatively. It is ironic that the countries of the Eastern Europe, which were
part of the much-demonized Soviet Club, have been accepted as the full members but
the entry of Turkey is being delayed on newer counts. A recount of Ankara’s
association with EU would be instructive:

Turkey applied for associate membership of European Economic Community (ECC)

way back in 1959. The ECC signed Association Agreement with it in 1963. However,
Ankara submitted application for full membership in ECC in 1987. Final agreement
on EU-Turkey Customs Union was singed in 1995.

It was in 1999 that Turkey was recognized as EU candidate officially. The formal
opening of accession negotiation took place in 2005. EU identified 35 areas or to be
more precise chapters for talks with Ankara. In 2007, the talks were suspended on
eight areas with Turkey for its failure to open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships
and aircraft.

As Turkey made strenuous efforts to meet the criterion laid down by the European
Union, more and more strings continued to be attached for its entry into the EU. There
has been a clear-cut divide among the EU member states about allowing Turkey
admission in the All-Christian Union. Those of the countries which ganged up to stop
Ankara’s entry put forward the following reasons, which on a microscopic scrutiny
appear religiously motivated:

Firstly, the opponents of Turkey’s admission into EU state that its culture and values
differ from those of the European Union as a whole. They point out that Turkey’s
99.08% Muslim population is too different from Christian-based Europe. Former
president of the European Commission, Jacques Delors, is on record as having stated
that the EU is mainly a “Christian Club”.

Secondly, naysayers are of the opinion that Turkey is mostly out of Europe both
population-wise and geographically. Therefore it does not deserve to be part of EU.
Thirdly, the case against Turkey’s entry into EU rests on non-recognition of Cyprus,
which became a bull-fledged member of the European Union. Turkey is required to
open its ports and airports for the Cypriot ships and planes, which otherwise borders
on withdrawal of Turkish stance on the controversial issue.

Fourthly, Ankara is said to be cutting poor performance on the human rights and
democracy. Turkish people especially Kurds are bereft of civil rights and fundamental
freedoms. It is said that Turkey should improve upon its behaviour to be able to
qualify for the membership of EU.

Lastly, there are strong fears and apprehensions among the powers that be of the
European Union that Turkey’s large population would alter the balance of power in
the European Union. After all, Germany’s population (the largest country in the EU)
is the only at 82 million and declining. Turkey would be the second largest country
(and perhaps eventually the largest with its much higher growth rate) in the EU and
would have considerable influence in the European Union. This influence would be
especially profound in the population-based European Parliament.

The above-mentioned facts represent the crux of the problem. It is Turkey’s Islamic
identity that is at the heart of its non-entry into EU. Negotiating framework clearly
states that “these negotiations are an open-ended process, the outcome of which
cannot be guaranteed beforehand.” The stringent conditions are only meant to serve as
a smokescreen for what seems to have been clearly established a “Christian Club”.