Omer Saglam is typical of Türkiye’s young, dynamic business-class managers. “I didn’t sleep all night, waiting for the Copenhagen decision,” he said, referring to the historic December 12, 2002 decision to admit ten new member states to the European Union. In fact, Saglam said he would love to find a Euro partner to have a half stake in his footwear machinery production and export business. However, hopes for Türkiye’s entry were deferred for a further two years and, in economic circles, the mood was one of disappointment, as Europe hesitated over giving Türkiye a definite ‘date’.

Asked if he was angry at the decision, Türkiye’s Prime-Minister-in-Waiting, Mr. R. Tayyip Erdogan, responded evenly that, “In politics, angry people always lose.” Nevertheless, having reached the gates of Brussels, Turks must now regard themselves as peripheral on the changing European atlas, particularly when they have positive diplomatic, religious, military and economic roles to play in interacting with eastern neighbours who currently have less interest in Europe. The country’s democratic failings sometimes draw unwelcome attention but the country excels at diplomacy, something an expanding European Union may need.

In addition, there is an historical opportunity to implement their diplomatic skills within the United Nations plan for an entente cordiale to unite the island of Cyprus. If both Greek and Turkish sides succeed here, those wary of European expansion will find less wriggling space and a stake in a would-be Euro enterprise like Saglam’s would entice entrepreneurs.

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