The Importance of the European Union and the Case for Turkey's Inclusion
Rewritten Article:
Chatting with Özgür Özel, the Voice of Turkey's CHP
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In an exclusive Euroviews chat, Özgür Özel, a high-profile member of Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP), shares his call for solidarity, shared values, and democratic cooperation.
I was a mere eight years old when I first witnessed the promise of Turkey-Europe collaboration—not through official diplomatic channels, but through a heartwarming family tale. My aunt's husband, who journeyed from Manisa, a bustling Turkish town, to Germany, returned with invaluable knowledge, skills, and resources that transformed our local community. This anecdote encapsulates the potential of a genuine, lasting partnership between Turkey and Europe.
Later, I entered the political arena, where I observed the tumultuous relationship between Turkey and the European Union—a relationship marked by both hope and disenchantment. From the 1999 Helsinki Summit, when Turkey was granted candidate status, to the 2010s, when negotiations stalled, our path to full EU membership has been uneven. There have been missteps and misunderstandings from both sides.
Today, however, the global landscape is rapidly changing. Conflicts like the war in Ukraine, the rise of authoritarian regimes, and the revival of far-right extremism are reshaping Europe's role in the world, revealing the urgent need for Turkey and Europe to forge a shared destiny.
On Europe Day, we're invited to ponder a critical question: What kind of partnership do we desire? One driven by short-term gains and political expediency or one anchored in enduring values, shared responsibilities, and mutual trust?
Constructing a Renewed Europe
In a world where democracy is under siege, multilateralism is weakening, peace is not a given, and global trade faces protectionist threats, the European Union's moral clarity and democratic commitment are more essential than ever.
Yes, the EU encounters pressure. Populism tested its unity. Migration challenges its compassion. The war in Ukraine demands resilience and resources. Yet it is precisely in these trying times that the EU must uphold its core principles.
According to former Italian Prime Minister and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi's report and the Commission's "Competitiveness Compass," the EU must take prompt action to preserve prosperity and global impact in the face of intensifying competition from the U.S. and China.
I am confident that a dynamic and democratic Turkey—a country committed to the rule of law, human rights, and secular governance—will significantly contribute to a more robust and unified future for both parties.
As the leader of the CHP, the oldest party of the Turkish Republic and a standard-bearer of its social democratic traditions, I assert that our vision for Turkey aligns with Europe's values.
Our agendas converge in areas that matter most: a social Europe that safeguards its citizens from inequality and insecurity; an inclusive Europe that embraces diversity with dignity; a sustainable and innovative Europe where green transition and digital advancement go hand in hand; and a decent Europe where everyone can live freely, securely, and with equal opportunities.
These ambitions represent the foundation for a rejuvenated Europe—ambitions that echo the aspirations of the Turkish people.
A Democracy Built on Equality
My vision for Turkey encompasses a democratic republic governed by the rule of law, secular administration, respect for human rights, and equality.
Gender equality transcends slogans and is a governing principle. We pledge to rejoin the Istanbul Convention without delay. We are committed to realizing Turkey's extraordinary potential: a country where no child is deprived of education, no family is denied healthcare, and no citizen is excluded from justice.
Following the 31 March 2024 local elections, our party emerged as the primary political force, championing a vision for empowered local democracy. Powerful municipalities lead to a powerful democracy. Transparent, participatory governance is not merely a governance method—it's our commitment to our citizens, upon whose trust and support we rely for our legitimacy.
I cannot help but voice my concern regarding the bargaining-style nature that has, at times, characterized the EU-Turkey relationship—most conspicuously in the realm of migration. This arrangement neither honors Europe's principles nor accurately reflects Turkey's contributions.
Turkey currently shelters over five million refugees and migrants, primarily hailing from Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iran, and Iraq. Despite limited resources, the Turkish people have demonstrated unparalleled generosity.
Turkey also boasts one of the youngest populations on the continent—a demographic force capable of fostering renewal and innovation. However, in recent years, young people have emigrated in sizeable numbers, discouraged by injustice and authoritarianism. The fruits of their talents have been squandered. We aim to reverse this trend.
Since 19 March, when Istanbul's elected mayor and our presidential candidate, Ekrem İmamoglu, was unjustly detained, young people have risen in peaceful protest—not for a political party, but for values: judicial independence, electoral fairness, and democratic renewal. They are not a threat. They are our best hope for a better future.
We believe in their future. We believe in their return. We believe in a Turkey they yearn to return to—a Turkey that offers not just opportunity, but dignity.
Either all of us together, or none of us at all
One of our rallying cries in our struggle—inspired by Bertolt Brecht—is: "No salvation alone—either all of us together, or none of us at all." Solidarity is not a choice. It is a necessity.
This is a pivotal moment for Europe. Europe should not disregard Turkey—a NATO ally, a member of the Council of Europe and the OECD, and an EU accession candidate for many years. Europe should not ignore Turkey's young people, its democratic aspirations, or the opportunity to build a partnership grounded in common values.
Let's move past ceremonial words. Let's remember why the EU was established: to reconcile divisions, protect democracy, and secure peace. The inclusion of Turkey in this mission is not a compromise—it is a completion.
Let this be the generation that opts for unity over exclusion, principles over convenience, and vision over fear.
Let us create a Europe that is truly united.
Happy Europe Day.
Özgür Özel is a prominent figure in Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP).
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- Özgür Özel, a high-profile member of Turkey's CHP, believes the partnership between Turkey and Europe can be fundamentally transformative, as exemplified by his aunt's husband's journey from Manisa to Germany.
- The global landscape is changing rapidly, and the need for a Turkey-Europe partnership anchored in shared values, shared responsibilities, and mutual trust has never been more urgent, according to Özgür Özel.
- Turkey's contribution to a more robust and unified future for Europe can be significant, says Özgür Özel, as long as the European Union upholds its core principles, particularly in light of the challenges posed by war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, and politics.
- In the face of multilateralism weakening and democracy under siege, the CHP leader asserts that Turkey's alignment with Europe's values resonates most strongly in areas such as policy for reducing inequality, embracing diversity, promoting sustainability, and upholding security and justice.
- Özgür Özel emphasizes the importance of including Turkey in the European Union's mission, particularly for the sake of both sides' young people, who are capable of fostering renewal and innovation, and who need a Turkey that offers opportunity and dignity—generously akin to the resources his aunt's husband brought back from Germany in his youth.
