President Erdogan said to the EU, “You don’t keep your promises these are your filthy sides. We can go for referendum about the EU Negotiations.” (Source: News agencies)

Comment:

Martin Schulz, head of the European Parliament (EP), said that the death penalty is their red line therefore it would be the end of the membership talks for Turkey by bringing back the death penalty in Turkey. He also criticized the attitude towards the opposition and journalists and brought the option of economic sanctions to the agenda. “As European Union, we have to consider taking measurements like economic sanctions if the situation in Turkey continues like this. The customs union which Turkey is a member of has to be reformed until the end of this year. I can’t imagine the customs union could be expanded after the opposition parliamentarians and journalists were arrested.” said Schulz.

President Erdogan replied as following: “You promised membership for Turkey officially in 1963. You’re still stalling. Why are you stalling? Let me tell you, O Europe, you do not want us because the vast majority of our population is Muslim. They had told us this openly. We knew it but we tried to show our sincerity. It is you who are discriminating. As for now the trouble is in a different place. If the EU will fulfill its promise and turn his face down on us because of a terrorist organization, we will explain this to our people. And we will ask them if they want to continue the negotiations with the EU?”

If Erdogan is sincere in his words he should act immediately according to these words. As the companion of our Prophet ﷺ Sa’id bin A’mir told Omar once “the best of speech is that which is confirmed by action.” Spoken words will get value for both the people and Allah سبحانه وتعالى only by if it is supported by actions. As Muslims we are responsible for every word we use. If the saying is not fulfilled with action, this will be enough as a sin for the person himself. In this context, President Erdogan’s grumble against Europe doesn’t mean much. Such grumbles have become a character of Erdogan. We have seen examples like this in the past and the near time. In his attitude towards “the Jewish entity”, in his relations with Russia and in his betrayal against Syrian Muslims… Thus Erdogan immediately revolved from his words he had spoken against the EU and mentioned the benefit of acting together against terrorism. President Erdogan is constantly talking, but doesn’t do anything. But, there will arise real valiant men who will teach Europe their boundaries very soon, by the will of Allah.

The tension between Turkey and the EU can be explained as followed. But first of all I find it useful to mention the subjects that are being made problem among them.

1. The negotiation to resolve the immigration problem, between Turkey and the EU has come to a deadlock.
2. After the coup attempt in July 15, Erdogan criticized the EU’s stance on the allegation that, that they did not support Erdogan against the coup furthermore that they were supporting the coup itself.
3. The reaction of the government and especially Erdogan against the supportive explanations of the EU countries towards the terrorist organizations such as PKK and YPG.
4. The EU’s criticism to Turkey because of the detainee journalists.
5. Some HDP parliamentarians were arrested and sent to prison, and in return of that some of the European embassies in Turkey boycotted these arrests and participated in the HDP group meeting.
6. Demands of the government and Erdogan for the return of the death penalty and the reactions of the EU in this regard.
7. Particularly the reactions of Europe about the discussions of the presidential system being put on the agenda.

In summary these are the polemic issues. Especially during these days when the presidential system is being debated Erdogan has a few reasons why he has acted politically against Europe. The resurgence of the presidential system and Europe’s harsh criticism towards Turkey is parallel. The idea of Turkey’s change of system disturbed especially Britain. This strengthens the possibility that Britain is behind all of this. In other words, the British may have wanted to provoke the EU against Turkey with such issues. On the other hand, Erdogan is quite capable of directing public opinion. So he knows how to lead the society. If the presidential system receives 330 votes in the parliament which is needed to lead it to a referendum, it needs the support of the people to pass the presidential system through the referendum. Especially the votes of the nationalist will be needed. This is why the state has recently returned to the security state policy from the 80s against PKK. Also the reason why Erdogan and the ruling government mentioned the death penalty was for a maneuver towards these politics. This is also why he has political polemic with the EU. Thus, the words he has said during his time as Prime Minister and during the time as a President are far from sincerity.

Yılmaz Çelik