Bickering Turks struggle to select negotiator for EU bid

By Andrew Beatty

Date: 07/04/05

Splits in Turkey's government appear to be delaying the appointment of the figure that will lead the country's membership talks with the European Union.

Disagreements between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül have held up the appointment of the person who will be responsible for talks, which are expected to begin on 3 October.

Each aspirant member state is required to appoint a chief negotiator as well as a team of advisors to head talks with the Union.

Gül is said to have favoured a foreign ministry official heading the talks, but Erdogan has insisted that a politician be appointed.

Although Gül and Erdogan now appear to have ruled out a diplomat taking up the post they still appear to be divided over who should take up the role.

The Turkish media has been rife with speculation. It is the first time that the two heavyweights of the ruling AK Party have allowed internal power struggles to spill into the open to such a degree.

Both Gül and Erdogan want to keep a close eye on the process, according to Amanda Akçakoca of the European Policy Centre. But other considerations may come to the fore.

The lack of foreign language speakers in senior government posts narrows the field dramatically. "They don't have that many qualified candidates," said Akçakoca.

Ministers Mehmet Aydin and Ali Babaçan look like favourites.

Aydin is said to be well respected by the prime minister and speaks English, French and Arabic. A theologian, he is currently responsible for religious affairs and the Turkish diaspora. Although a respected academic and a staunch defender of multicultural Europe and Islam's compatibility with democracy, Aydin has little negotiating experience.

He recently accompanied Erdogan on a visit to Brussels, raising speculation that he is being prepared for the position.

But Economics Minister Ali Babaçan, a close Gül ally, is also seen as a possible choice. Trained in the US, he speaks excellent English and is well respected in Brussels.

But his high profile may also work against him. Babaçan's central role managing Turkey's economic reforms and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund have made him appear indispensable.

"He is the best option for the next few years to complete the microeconomic framework," said Zafer Ali Yavan, the Ankara representative of the influential Turkish industrialists' group Tusiad.

Although Tusiad is not publicly backing any candidate, Yavan said the post should be high profile and should deal with the task in hand.

"He or she has to be a political figure, it is an important position," Yavan said. "If he [Babaçan] is chosen he has to give up his economic responsibilities in the treasury and the central bank, this is true for any other candidate. Two hats are too many."

Erdogan recently said that he himself would serve as chief negotiator during Turkey's EU accession talks, as he had frequent contacts with all EU leaders. He added that an appointee would replace him when he was unable to attend meetings.

The government is expected to make a decision before June.

Article reports on an internal power struggle in the Turkish Government on whom to appoint as the country's chief negotiator in the EU accession negotiations, to be opened on 3 October 2005.