Jim Murphy

Turkey

On Monday evening I travelled out of Heathrow's new Terminal 5. I did so with a degree of trepidation due to its well publicised problems last week. But I was relieved that it went well. My destination was Istanbul. I had been invited to speak at a conference of academics, politicians, officials and journalists about Turkey's future in the European Union. I wanted to take the opportunity to put forward our case for something that the British government is firmly convinced of.

The point I wanted to make is that Turkey joining the EU is in our shared interest.

The importance of Turkey to the EU could not have been more obvious to me as I drove from the airport last night. Istanbul is a massive and impressive city. From the Byzantine walls to the Ottoman mosques and bazaars, it's a rich fusion of arts and cultures, of old and new. A gateway between Europe and Asia. Between Christianity and Islam.

The Bosphorus, which takes its name from Greek times when it had an important role as an east-west crossing point (Bosphorus means "ox crossing"), is now a vital north-south passage for thousands of ships from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. I was impressed by the hundreds of ships, lit up in the night sky, waiting to make the voyage just last night.

But equally, the EU is important for Turkey. It will gain influence. After joining the EU, Turkey's voice won't just be the voice of one proud nation, but will influence and speak on behalf of many nations - all members of the EU.

And I haven't even touched on the economic arguments.

I am convinced that when Turkey completes its process of reform, its destiny lies in the EU. But for its part, Turkey needs to be clear of its motivation for reform. Turkey shouldn't reform to please the EU, but because democratic and economic reform are in the interests of the Turkish people.

I've just met Turkish Foreign Minister Babacan and we discussed a great variety of issues, including Cyprus. Turkey must play its part in making progress on the UN process for a comprehensive settlement. Not because it will ease the accession process, but because it is in the interests of all Cypriots.

Posted at 11:34 02 April 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[5]

Turkey (Again)

Just to pick up some of the points raised in response to my earlier blog on Turkey:  Mike asked how far I thought the EU could expand, as Turkey was pushing the geographic boundaries.  I am against setting any pre-ordained limit on EU expansion - enlargement has been a huge positive both for the countries already in the EU, ourselves included, and those that have joined more recently.  Certainly the countries of the Balkans belong in Europe, along with countries to the EU's east like Ukraine.  Linked to this is an answer to Simon's points regarding the economics of EU expansion and the issue of values.  I strongly believe that Turkey joining the EU would be a real boost to British business.  Turkey has a strong economy, growing at around 7.5% per annum in recent years, so it would benefit the EU's single market and British jobs and growth. This is something I was asked about on a radio phone in for Radio XL last week.

Simon writes that he hasn't seen the EU doing much inter-faith outreach work.  Of course there is a lot of activity carried out by EU countries on an individual basis - for example Spain has played a leading role - with Turkey - in establishing an "Alliance of Civilisations" (more info at http://www.unaoc.org).  There are also some good EU-level initiatives.  For example the President of the European Parliament was recently in the UK and included in his visit talks with British Muslim leaders and a speech on intercultural dialogue at the London School of Economics.  If people have ideas on what the EU's role should be in this then I'm keen to hear them. 

I disagree entirely with the comments made by 'Lord Truth' - but it gives me the chance to point out that the entry of a reformed Turkey into the EU would be an excellent symbolic rejection of the idea that Europe is exclusively a "Christian club".  Turkey is a democracy, and it is making further reforms on its path to EU membership.  In recent years Turkey has abolished the death penalty, significantly reduced torture, ensured constitutional rights for women and improved the cultural rights of minority groups.  The EU accession process will continue to be a catalyst for reform.  To answer Richard's question - every indication I have seen suggests Turkey very much wants to join the EU, and is making progress towards doing so.  It's a balance - Turkey needs to keep going along the reform track, and the EU needs to reassert that membership is the destination.

With most of the House of Commons debate on the Treaty over, I am looking forward to having some more time to focus on issues like Turkey, Cyprus, Kosovo and the Balkans, and our relations with Russia, as well as things like inter-cultual dialogue.  I am the Minister responsible for the UK's "public diplomacy", and I'll be blogging about that in due course.  In any case, you'll be pleased to know this may mean a wider range of blogs!

Posted at 09:54 10 March 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[3]

Turkey should be in Europe

Last week I spoke at a Rotary Club dinner in my constituency.  The questions were interesting (and so were some of my answers!).  I was asked "was Turkey in Europe and should it be able to join the EU?".

The simple fact is that Turkey always has been a major European player. Europe itself is made up of many different cultures, histories and religions, but it is this diversity that gives us strength. The only realistic foundations for Europe are common values; no-one believes in a Europe defined by geographical boundaries alone. The EU has accepted since 1963 that Turkey is in principle eligible for membership, and in Helsinki in 1999 we all agreed that if Turkey complied with the rigorous conditions that all candidates must meet, it should become a candidate for full membership.

We believe that it would be in the best interests of Britain and Europe as a whole for Turkey to join the EU. Turkey is set to enter the top ten global economies within the next twenty years, and is already the EU's sixth biggest trade partner.  It has a young, well-educated population, and double the average growth rate of mature EU economies.  And modern Turkey proves that democratic values are compatible with a Muslim majority state. It makes no sense for the EU to be a closed Christian club. Its membership must demonstrate that diversity of religious beliefs is compatible with common values, and common institutions. EU membership will maximise Turkey's valuable and unique role between East and West, as a key player in Europe, and on the global stage.

Turkey should be in the EU was my answer.

Posted at 10:50 22 February 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[8]