ErtuÄŸrul Özkök: Who will win: the beer drinkers or the wine drinkers?

One of the foremost names in the British business world was in Istanbul last week. While here, he met with some of the most important figures in TUSAID (the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmens' Association). As the director of an association similar to TUSAID in England, Sir Digby Jones had not looked warmly on Turkey's possible EU membership before. * * *But this time, in a speech to TUSAID members in Istanbul, Jones painted a rosier picture. And after the doors to the meeting were closed, he gave an even warmer speech. First, he analyzed the results from the referendums. "Don't be saddened, these results have nothing to do with you. Europe's real war is much wider spread" he began. And then he continued, making a comparison which TUSAID members will not forget for years and years: "Europe is experiencing a civil war these days. This is a war between beer drinking and wine drinking countries. The wine drinking countries represent the old, dying Europe." And the beer drinking countries?"The beer drinking countries are the dynamic, competitive countries that have fully implemented market economies, and that represent the future." It is not difficult to guess which countries support which side in the "beer versus wine drinkers" war. No doubt France heads up the "Wine Europe" front. * * *After France on the wine drinking side would come Italy.Sir Digby describes these countries as having "protectionist, 1970s model economies whose development potentials have run out." And the beer drinking countries? Heading these up of course is England, which for the past 7-8 years has displayed a continuous "positive growth" trend. And it is truly one of the first in terms of beer consumption. Finland and Sweden, with their digital revolutions, and the fact that they got into GSM technology before everyone else, can also be put into this category. Having emerged from socialism not even 10 years ago, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary are also beer drinking countries on the upward heading road. * * *What is Turkey's place in this war?Here's what Sir Digby says:"If Turkey loses the EU war, and if France wins, Europe will become a protectionist, static, and introspective region." Here is his guess:"This war will be won sooner or later by the beer drinking countries." As a wine lover, I was not very happy about this categorization. But there are a few examples which break the model anyway. Germany, for example. One of the greatest consumers of beer in the world. But from an economic perspective, it is passing through one of the most listless periods in its history. And on the other hand, there is Spain. The Spain I know would fit into the wine and not the beer category. And in recent years, it has really taken enormous steps in quality in its wine sector. Spain is a wine drinking country, but posesses one of Europe's most dynamic economies. There are analyses of the Spanish economy which put it ahead of the Italian economy. * * *When it comes to Turkey, beer consumption is above wine consumption by far. But wine consumption is rising.So you see, Turkey is also experiencing a spiritual civil war. Beginning with the CHP, some political parties here are reminiscent of aging France. So then, I ask myself this question: I wonder if, before we even have the chance to be a young European, we are becoming an aged, wine drinking Europe? Â