The Treaty of the European Union (Treaty of Mastritcht) signed in February 199; created a common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and proclaimed that Union shall “assert its identity on the international scene in particular through the implementation of a CFSP which shall include the eventual framing of a common defense policy”. The European Council in June 2000 at Feira Summit identified “principles and modalities for arrangements to allow non-EU European NATO members and other EU accession candidates to contribute to EU military crisis management”. İt was settled that if the European Council decides to launch an operation,non-EU European NATO members (i.e Turkey ,Norway and Iceland) might participate if the operation uses NATO capabilities and they would be invited ti participate in operation that do not NATO capabilities.
İn summer 2000, making the first step in implementing the Feira discussions, the EU approached NATO and proposed the establishment of four (4) adhoc working groups composed of representatives of member-states of both organization ,seeking primary to benefit from the Alliance ‘s force –planning expertise at the military level. İt is within this context that Turkey was incorporated into the EU. The exclusion of such an integral actor from the European security structure would carry significant risks while it inclusion would enhance European military capability and allow the EU to explore Turkey geopolitical values
There are three major values that makes Turkey resourceful to the EU security system in the post-cold war era,namely:
Turkey’s membership in NATO
Its military capabilities
İts geostrategic position
By exercising its vote in the North Atlantic Council,Turkey has an institutional lever which can affect the EU defense operations
Turkey’s military capabilities are vital for operations in the expanded Europena security area.
Turkey controls a pivotal intersection between Southeastern Europe,the Middle East ,Balkans and the Caucasus which allows it to qualify as a major player in these regions.
Turkey’s role in the European Union Security can be further stretched,according to the ambassador to NATO, Alexander Vershbow ,”a European operation will have the greatest chance of success of non-EU allies not the least of all Turkey”. Technically , it will be costly to exclude Turkey from Eu security operation. Also ,Javier Solana, the High Representative for the CFSP and Secretary General of the WEU made remarkable statement : “ Turkey must participate on a regular basis in the day-to-day consultations of European Security. İt should also participate fully and equally in decision-making on all EU-led operations using NATO assets. And in other hand,in EU operations not using NATO asset,it must participate in the decision shaping and the implementation of such operation if it decided to join them”
Moreso, Turkey’s geostrategic weight is rekated to its role in Southeast Europe and the Balkans ,the region that in 1990s posed the most serious challenges to European security stability. İt role in the Balkan crisis of 1992-95 and the Kosovo crisis of 1998-99. İn both cases,Turkey provided massive humanitarian relief ,it troops served under UN command and it accomodated many thousands of refugees. Turkey has contributed an infantry battalion group (1300 officers and soldiers) to NATO Imlementation/Stabilization Force (IFOR/SFOR)in Bosnia,as well as 26 police officers to the UN mission in Bosnia(UNMIBH):its mechanized battalion (940 officers and soldiers) in deployed in Kosovo as part of the KFOR multinational brigade South (Prizren)under German command. As the EU with shift s the emphasis on economic development aid as a means to discharge security challenges.
Furthermore , Turkey place and role in the Middle East that carries implications for he European Union involves its closeness to and alliance –building with Israel. Since 1993,Turkey has been engaged in extensive coperation with Israel, formalized in a range of agreements stretching from culture to military matters. Turkey has already played an important role in the multinational track of the Middle East Peace Process and is able to act as a mediator between Palestine and Israel as illustrated by its diplomatic endeavours.
Turkey can play important role in the EU’s Euro-Mediterranean partnership (or the Barcelona Procees)which has three purposes: (1) to ensure economic development in the mediterranean region,(2) to eliminate the ecomonic and political causes of immigration from North African to the EU and (3)to promote peace in the MIddle East between Israel and Arabs. Turkey potential geopolitical contribution to European security is related to its role in the Caspian region. Turkey as for years played the role of an energy corridor for Europe.
Inconclusion,the inclusion of Turkey to the EU Security will bring more good than harm to the EU foreign and security policies through it military capabilities and its ties in the region around it.