Turkey waltzes towards the EU
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Along with its 71.5 million citizens, the Eurasian country situated in southeastern Europe took a step towards the European Union when it's capital city was christened the European Capital of Culture this year.
Istanbul, often referred to as a cultural and ethnic melting pot attracts millions of tourists yearly to explore its historical mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, castles and towers so why did it need to become a European capital of culture? Or rather, what does such a title imply and what effect does it have?
It was the well known Greek actress turned politician, Melina Mercouri who proposed the concept back in 1983 and supervised it's launch in the summer of 95. Officially designated by the EU, the European Capital of Culture offers cities the chance to showcase their cultural life and development and improve the way that they are viewed internationally. Back in 1999, the project opened to non-EU member states following the establishment of an 'Enterprise Group' that would then take the required steps for Istanbul to be a candidate for the title.
But Istanbul is not the only European Capital of Culture this year. It shares the title of with Pécs in Hungary and Essen in Germany. However it is in Istanbul where you can find a packed calender of events taking place in historical buildings around the city. Last year, local authorities prepared these places with an extensive programme of restoration to sites in the city, like wooden Ottoman houses to fountains, tombs and bazaars.
The energetic city attracted 6.5 million tourists in 2008, according to, Nuri Colakoglu, the chairmen of the Istanbul European Capital of Culture. He is convinced that the title is having a positive effect on the city and will see Istanbul host up to 12 million of tourists before the year is out. On top of this event, he said, “Istanbul is positioning itself as a destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, and new venues are being opened to boost capacity”.
So, what effect is this all having on Turkey's entry in to the EU. In the recent past, public opinion throughout the European Union has been generally opposed to Turkish EU membership based on human rights reasons. A Eurobarometer back in 2006 revealed that 59% of EU citizens were against their membership. The thing is, Turkey's large population would change the balance of power in the institutions; they would have the second largest number of MEPS in the European Parliament.
To accede to the EU, Turkey has to complete negotiations with the European Commission based on 35 chapters of the total body of EU law before EU member states then unanimously agree on their membership. So the process could take years. For the moment, Istanbul should forget about politics, and concentrate on culture. If locals embrace it, foreigners will do providing a basis for mutual understanding and a smoother path for political dialogue.
Image: istanbul2010.org
