TURKEY is not a European country. History, geography, religion, ethnicity, traditions, and even cuisine say as much. There is more common ground between France and Chile than exists between Turkey and Greece. And yet, Turkey wants to have a piece of that fat and delicious pie called the EU.
Austria, however, has other ideas. Austria is not a loud country nor is it a country that cultivates enemies. It has come to terms with its history and now moves within the circle of its domestic problems without much stress on what happens in the world. Yet on this issue, they are loud.
Looked at objectively, Austria has a point. And this point might prove too stark for the rest to ignore in the long process that should lead to full membership. I don’t believe that Turkey will ever achieve that full membership.
If we forget about Europe for a minute and look east, we should find some rather interesting points made indirectly by Turkey’s desire to join the EU. Most importantly is the blunt verdict of failure that is the lot of the Middle East and the Islamic region. They have simply failed to come to terms with each other to form a union that is as viable as the EU.
While Europe rose from the blood and destruction of endless wars to create a big mansion with many rooms and balconies, we split up and mutated into some rather nasty entities. Sometimes it is easier for us to enter Europe than to visit each other’s countries. Ethnically, Turkey is closer to the Levant than to Europe, yet we harp on differences rather than celebrate our common ground.
The Gulf states have the money but lack the skilled labor that Turkey can provide, yet the doors are closed. We are angered when Turkish officials talk to Israeli officials but say nothing as the Palestinians and, indeed, many other Arabs do the same.
We have come to terms with Israel’s existence, which logically should lead to their football teams playing us in qualification matches. Taken further, Israel is well poised to become part of a union in this area that should include Turkey.
Since all of this seems like a distant dream, Turkey is looking West and trying its hand at the bird in hand rather than the ten in the tree. Does anyone blame them? I certainly don’t. We cannot disregard reality and claim to be part of this world. We failed Turkey; and this important and vibrant nation is joining a different camp. Austria permitting, our loss is Europe’s gain.
The world is shrinking but we believe it to be expanding. Next summer several countries will compete in Germany for the World Cup. One such nation might be Israel: A possibility pending a couple of results. Some Arab countries have already qualified. Now what? Are we going to withdraw if the draw puts us against them? Perhaps before we make any rash decisions, we should remember the memorable ping-pong match between two giants back in the seventies.
