BRUSSELS — Europe is turning a blind eye to democratic backsliding in Turkey because it needs the country’s military and economic weight, said Istanbul’s acting mayor, Nuri Aslan, in an exclusive interview.
Aslan was in Brussels to accept the European Committee of the Regions’ Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award on behalf of jailed city leader Ekrem İmamoğlu, who had been awarded the prize for his efforts in defending local democracy.
Highlighting that the honor contrasted sharply with what he described as Europe’s muted response to the detention of opposition politicians in Turkey, Aslan said: “You know the global situation. Turkey’s armed forces and defense capacity are very strong, and Europe currently has a security gap. Because of that, Europe doesn’t want to confront Turkey strongly on democratic and legal issues.”
Aslan’s comments emphasize the delicate balance shaping the relationship between Brussels and Ankara, particularly as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have increased Turkey’s strategic importance for NATO and European security.
“Those governments that constantly speak about democracy and the rule of law unfortunately did not stand firmly enough on the side of democracy because of their own short-term interests,” the acting mayor said.
Adding that 16 mayors from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) are currently imprisoned, including İmamoğlu, Aslan noted: “You cannot arrest all mayors or all politicians. If, in a society, something is considered right when you do it but wrong when someone else does it, there will be no trust or stability — and that damages the economy.”
Still, he struck an optimistic tone about Turkey’s political trajectory. “I see this as something temporary — like an illness, like having the flu,” he said. “The Turkish state and its administrators will quickly correct these unlawful processes and bring them back within the framework of law.”
Aslan also argued that the legal cases against the Istanbul mayor are politically motivated. “The government is trying to stop such a successful politician through judicial processes directed both at him and at our party,” he said.
İmamoğlu has become Erdoğan’s most prominent political challenger, and is widely seen as a potential presidential contender. “These arrests are definitely contrary to the conditions of a democratic, secular state governed by law,” the acting mayor explained.
Despite criticizing Europe’s response, however, Aslan insisted that Turkey’s future remains firmly tied to the continent. “Turkish society and the Republic of Turkey are oriented toward Europe,” he said.
Formal EU accession negotiations with Turkey have been effectively frozen for years amid concerns about democratic backsliding and rule of law. But, Aslan noted, a future CHP-led government would move rapidly to restart the talks.
“If we come to power, we will move quickly toward EU membership. Within one or two years talks would accelerate, and maybe within three years we could join the EU,” he said.
Istanbul’s acting mayor: EU soft on Turkey because it needs Ankara
Source: Viral Showbiz Pinay
0 Comments