In recent months Turkey has strengthened rhetoric associated with the criticism of the European Union and has become increasingly hesitant to join the EU after so many decades of staying on its doorstep. The last of these statements was the words of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said shortly before the visit to St. Petersburg, that the EU "continues to mislead Turkey". The country's leadership has repeatedly indicated its intention to join some other organization, such as the Customs Union or SCO , but negotiations with the EU continue.
Turkish experts explained to VK that this is political rhetoric actually aimed at accelerating the integration into the European Union because of the accumulated disappointment of both politicians and the common people of Turkey. Deputy of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Sinan Ogan began his arguments with this statement.
«Disappointment – that's what Turkey's hopes associated with the EU became. Moreover, even if Turkey becomes a full member of the EU, the geopolitical situation in the world makes it impossible to "turn back" to Eurasia or to the Middle East. Turkey is primarily an active regional player, and in this status it will work closely with the SCO, and with the Arab League, and with the countries of South Asia. that is, Turkey is in close dialogue with all organizations. The most convenient means to implement this dialogue is either becoming a full member in such organizations or having observer status», Ogan said explaining that even these considerations could explain Turkey's statements about wanting to join the SCO or the CU.
Analyst of the Turkish International Development Research Centre (USAK) Hassan Selim Ozertem tied "oriental" integration trends among the Turkish leadership with its disappointment with the accession process to the European Union . "On the one hand, Turkey in the last 10 years has conducted very balanced and diversified foreign policy. It maintains relations with the countries of the Far East, it is a member of NATO, and it is in close dialogue with the EU. Turkey in the near future will have a common approach to number of regional issues with the SCO, particularly on Afghanistan after 2014, since the establishment of security in Afghanistan is the priority for everyone”, Ozertem said.
" But at the same time, Erdogan's statements that Turkey can become a small part of the SCO or President Gul's proposal to enter the Customs Union have a political color. Turkey has long been trying to become a full member of the EU, and at the moment this kind of rhetoric may be a warning that if difficulties with the entry into the EU continue, the country will cooperate with other organizations", the analyst expressed his opinion.
