Agenda
An American Institute for Contemporary German Studies Conference
| Zentrum für Europäische Integrationsforschung ZEI Center for European Integration Studies - Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-UniversitätBonn | The American Institute for Contemporary German Studies The Johns Hopkins University Washington DC |
Workshop
Parameters of Partnership:
The U. S. - Turkey - Europe
4 & 5 November 1998
Bonn
Germany
On November 4-5, 1998, AICGS and the Center for European Integration Studies cosponsored the second in a series of meetings planned through 1999. This latest conference focused on the dynamics of the Turkish/German/EU relationship and the significance of the U.S.- Turkish relations. The following observations represent three major points made at the conference. A publication with papers presented at the conference will be available in early 1999.
Following the EU summit meeting in December of 1997, Turkish attitudes toward the European Union in general and toward Germany in particular were marked by severe disappointment. Turkey interpreted the meeting as an indication that the EU was not treating their application for membership on an equal basis with the other eleven candidates. While much of the blame for this was placed on Greece, Germany was also criticized for allegedly not having committed the support to the Turkish candidacy which Turkish leaders had expected to take place earlier in the year. The Turkish view is that the EU is unwilling to determine a specific time frame for Turkey's eventual membership and is setting other countries ahead of them in a discriminatory fashion. Some argue that it is due to the Islamic factor in Turkey. This posture, it was argued, might lead Turkey to lose interest in the EU and seek alliances elsewhere.
German views suggested that the summit meeting did not exclude Turkey for eventual membership but rather that the proposal is still on the table. However, there is still much to accomplish before Turkey can meet the requirements to become a member of the EU, including domestic reforms at home as well as settlement of the conflict with Greece over Cyprus. Meanwhile, it is argued that the Customs Union agreement between the EU and Turkey has contributed to helping Turkey develop in the direction of eventual membership. In fact, there are more Turks living in Germany than in any other country in the EU and Germany has a vested interest in good relations with Turkey.
American views stressed the strategic partnership between Turkey and the U.S.; demonstrated by Turkeys' long-standing membership in NATO, its assistance during the war with Iraq and its contribution to settling the crisis in Bosnia. Turkey, it is argued, is a part of Europe, but it is also a part of the Islamic world and a part of the Balkans. It has strategic interests in its relations with Syria, Russia, Iran, and Israel. The importance of the networks of pipelines running through Turkey only increases its strategic value to Europe and the U.S. The U.S. encourages the EU to strengthen its relations with Turkey and to concentrate on settling the continuing volatile situation in Cyprus.
Please note that the Institute's last publication on these issues, The Parameters of Partnership: Germany, the U.S. and Turkey, is available for downloading on the Institute's Website.
19:30 Opening dinner (for speakers of the workshop, by invitation only)
- After-dinner speech
Dr. Ekkehard EickhoffAmbassador (ret.), Bonn
9:15 Welcome/lntroduction
Prof. Dr. Ludger Kühnhardt Director, Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI), Bonn
9:30 The Relations between Turkey and the EU - Stock Taking and Prospects
Executive Director, American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS), Washington, D. C.
Introducer:
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Expert Counsellor, Permanent Delegation of the Turkish Republic to the European Commission, Brussels
Director, "Bundesakademiefürherheitspolitik", Bonn
10:15 Discussion
10:45 Break
11:15 The Situation of Turks in Germany
Middle East Technical University Ankara
Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania
Member of Parliament, Germany
Director, CIBEDO (Christlich Islamische Begegnung), Frankfurt a.M.
12 00 Discussion
12:45 Lunch
Chairman of the Board of ALARKO Holding A. S., Istanbul
14:00 Turkey in its Surroundings
Executive Director, American Institute for Contemporary German Studies (AICGS), Washington, D. C.
Directorate-General I.A: Foreign Relations, European Commission, Brussels
Senior Political Analyst, RAND Corporation, Washington, D. C.
Former Turkish Foreign Minister
Mobil Oil, London
15:00 Discussion
15:45 Break
16:15 Components of a Strategy in the U. S.-Turkey-Europe Triangle
Director, Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI), Bonn
Secretary of State, Foreign Office, Bonn
Chairman Foreign Relations Committee, Turkish National Assembly
17:00 Discussion
18:00 Closing remarks