Ertugrul Ozkok: A possible formula for privileged partner status

A source close to French President Jacques Chirac disclosed for the first time a proposed formula for a privileged partner status for Turkey.

No doubt there is a Pandora's box being opened here. The first concrete signals of the "privileged partner" concept advised by some European countries to Turkey are beginning to come forth.

But let's go back a bit in time.

Last month in Berlin, we asked Angela Merkel (leader of the German Christian Democrat Party) this question: "What are you talking about when you say Turkey should be given a 'privileged partner' status?

Merkel wasn't able to provide a single concrete answer to this question.

* * *

We have been asking everyone in Europe this question since December 17. There have no answers.

Well, we as journalists can ask of course, but the Turkish Republic cannot ask.
Because even just asking this questions means that talks to begin the official "privileged partner' status would begin.

So neither side brings up the question.

But now, it would seem, the censureship on asking this question is being  lifted.

"Seem"  I say, because I still don't know exactly who the formula which is being batted around represents.

* * *

Yesterday the "Radikal" newspaper carried a very important opinion piece.

The writer was former Ambassador Gunduz Aktan. Not someone who would just write down any old gossip, in other words.

Aktan revealed the "formula for privileged partner" status in his writing.

But he wouldn't say who it was that told him the formuyla.

He just gave these hints:

"It is the head of a think tank known to be close to French President Chirac."

Here is the formula:

The talks with the EU will last for 15-20 years; what the resolution of  these talks will be is not clear. Whereas, putting together a 'privileged partner' status immediately would be possible. It would not be necessary for Turkey to give up its goal of full EU membership. It would be possible for two parallel discussions-one on privileged partner status, one on full membership status-to happen simultaneously.

Whatever economic aid would come to Turkey during its full membership in the EU, something near this amount would also be made available as a 'privileged partner.'

The visa requirements for Turkish people would also be softened after making the necessary border safety adjustments necessary for privileged partner status.

Turkey would become a member of the Defense Ministers Committee, with its newly gained voting rights on the issues of defense and security for Europe.

The Cyprus matter would fall from the EU calendar list of things to deal with. During talks for 'privileged partner' status, Greek Cypriots and Greece would not have veto rights. Armenian genocide claims and the Kurdish problem would also become more managable, as we became more politically protected.

* * *

Yes, this is the formula.

According to Aktan, the only risk is economic: "The only problem is whether or not the stock market would have a negative reaction...."

Whether or not Aktan's writings are really a formula, or his personal thoughts, is not clear.

I called Gunduz Aktan and talked to him a bit.

He told me the name of the person who gave him the information, and it is someone who was in Ankara for talks recently. Which means he has passed this information on to people in Ankara.

Still, I'm cautious. But, looking at the different sections of the proposal, I can say this:

It is thoughtful, and has possibilities.

Sections of it could be presented to Turkey sometime soon for consideration.

* * *

But what will we say in response?

For the time being, nothing.

Because our goal right now is "to start talks for full membership."

There should not be any doors opened to formulas or suggestions which would water down this goal.

Although exercizing our thoughts on the matter of privileged partner status wouldn't hurt us at all.