IKV CHAIRMAN AYHAN ZEYTİNOĞLU: THIS HIGH LEVEL SHOWS PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR STRENTGHENED RELATIONS WITH THE EU.

Each year, at the occasion of Europe Day which celebrates the foundation of the European Communities through the Schuman Charter, we look back at Turkey-EU relations. Turkey-EU relations have gained impetus following the refugee crisis. As a result, intensified efforts have been made since April to meet the criteria included within the framework of the Visa Liberalisation Roadmap.

 “XENOPHOBIA AND OPPOSITION TO MIGRANTS ARE POSING A SERIOUS THREAT FOR THE FUTURE OF THE EU”

IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu touched upon the importance of the enduring relationship between Turkey and the EU and further added that relations have seen a revitalisation lately thanks to the mutual cooperation regarding the refugee crisis and Visa Liberalisation process. He expressed his wish for the accession negotiations to continue within that framework. IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu added the following:

“We are seeing the values that make Europe what it is are under threat on this 9 May Europe Day. In these difficult times, it is of utmost importance for the EU to preserve its multicultural and open structure. Xenophobia and opposition to migrants are posing a serious threat for the future of the EU”.

Chairman Zeytinoğlu reminded that regardless of all difficulties and obstacles, the revitalisation of Turkey’s EU perspective is a strategic objective for both our country and for Europe. Furthermore, he explained that Turkey is in a key location in finding long lasting solutions to the issues faced by the EU.

 “RELATIONS WITH THE EU SHOULD BE REVITALISED WITH A CLEAR MEMBERSHIP PERSPECTIVE; THE REMAINING CRITERIA IN THE VISA LIBERALISATION PROCESS SHOULD BE FULFILLED”

IKV Chairman highlighted the importance of revitalised relations which have seen increased activism thanks to the refugee agreement and the visa liberalisation process with a clear membership perspective and from the point of view of economic growth, democratisation and rule of law. As such, he called upon the completion of the remaining criteria within the framework of the visa liberalisation process without delay:

“Our Government and Parliament have fulfilled active legislative work in order to meet the remaining criteria of the Visa Liberalisation Roadmap with the EU in April and have thus completed 67 out of the 72 criteria. The latest evaluation report published by the European Commission on 4 May 2016 welcomed the efforts made by Turkey and, although underlining the need for more time to be given in order to meet the remaining discrepancies in the last 5 criteria with respect to the publication of biometric passports and the implementation of the Readmission Agreement with the EU, recommended the lifting of the Schengen visa for Turkish citizens.  The next step will consist in Turkey working hard and fast in order to meet the remaining criteria before the voting of the Commission’s recommendation at the European Council and the EP”.

Moreover, Chairman Zeytinoğlu touched upon to the issue of broadening the reference to terrorism within the framework of the anti-terror legislation which is also present in the criteria that Turkey has yet to fulfil. IKV Chairman stressed the importance of ensuring peace and security in Turkey in the context of the fight against terrorism. In a period where news of casualties in the anti-terror operations continues to come, he highlighted the need for the EU to keep in mind the extremely sensitive situation that Turkey is currently being faced with. Furthermore, Chairman Zeytinoğlu explained the need for Turkey to implement all of the necessary legislation with respect to freedom of speech within the framework of the Council of Europe standards in order to achieve further efforts in the EU accession and visa liberalisation processes.

 “PUBLIC SUPPORT IS MORE THAN EVER NEEDED IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WITH THE EU”

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu also explained the results of a survey realised by Realta Public Research Company on behalf of IKV on 9 May Europe Day. The survey was realised on 23-24 April 2016 and helped in evaluating the approach towards the EU and the level of support for EU membership. It was performed upon a total of 1254 participants representing an 18 and above age electoral population across Turkey. There have been a total of 18 provinces where the survey has been performed (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Manisa, Eskişehir, Bursa, Trabzon, Adana, Mersin, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Amasya, Sakarya, Malatya, Ağrı, Aydın, Batman and Samsun) and the quantitative research method has been used.

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu briefed the results of the survey as follows:

 “According to the results laid down by the survey, 75.5% of people in Turkey are in favour of EU membership whilst 24.5% are opposed. Whilst the level of support was 61.8% in 2015, we are seeing that the level of support rose from 13 points this year. Taking into account the fact that our relations with the EU have been revitalised lately in the context of the refugee agreement, this high level of support is clear testimony of public opinion’s support for the process. Whilst 45.4% of those supporting EU membership are expecting further prosperity and economic development with membership, 35.8% are expecting free movement, settlement and education opportunities and the remaining 33.8% are expecting the development of democracy and human rights with the membership.

Regarding the question of what does the EU represent for you, the most common answers are as follows: high level of prosperity and economic development (44%), democracy and freedom (35%), culture and civilisation (27%), free movement and the lifting of the borders (20%), common standards and harmonisation (15%).

In the survey, we also asked participants whether they believed Turkey would eventually become an EU member. Whilst 35.6% said they believed it would happen, 64.4% said that they did not believe Turkey would become an EU member. Therefore, whilst support for EU membership is at a high level among public opinion, the belief in the concrete realisation of EU membership is low. These assessments, showing the perception of the EU among public opinion, will help us in better analysing the ongoing process”.