Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Meanwhile, efforts to normalise Turkish-Armenian diplomatic relations, long strained
over the alleged massacre of Ottoman Armenians during WWI, have faltered despite the
two countries' increasing cultural and trade ties. The border remains closed, and Turkey
was furious when France tabled a law that would have criminalised denying that the
events were an act of 'genocide'. The French court later annulled the law. Most Turks
maintain that there was no such genocide; you may also see museum exhibits concerning
atrocities that Armenian militias supposedly perpetrated against Turks. It remains a matter
of national pride and an extremely sensitive issue. Discussing it is illegal in Turkey, under
the law against insulting the Turkish nation.
EU Ambitions
Turkey's bid to join the European Union (EU) continues; accession talks started in 2005
and discussions relating to 13 of the 35 policy chapters have opened. Obstacles include
Turkey's refusal to recognise EU member Cyprus; the marginalisation of its 15 million
Kurds; freedom of speech; and EU discomfort about embracing a 99% Muslim country. In
2012 no chapters had been opened for two years; Turks resented the stalemate, especially
given Turkey's economic boom and Eurozone woes.
The Kurdish Question
Domestically, Turkey's most pressing problem is the Kurdish issue, which sparked a near
civil war between the military and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), classed interna-
tionally as a terrorist group by organisations including the EU and US government, in the
1980s and '90s. The situation has simmered down, but skirmishes continue in southeast-
ern Anatolia, where the PKK stepped up attacks during the Syrian unrest. The creation of
an independent Kurdistan is unlikely; the Kurds remain suspicious of promises from na-
tionalistic politicians, and point to Iraq's semi- autonomous Kurdish region as a way for-
ward.
Political Progress
Prime Minister Erdoğan's Justice and Development (AKP) government has ushered in a
broadly positive era for Turkey . Decades of military coups have given way to stability
and economic growth matching China's. The 2010 referendum on constitutional reform,
in which Turkey voted for change, will hopefully lead to greater democracy. The all-party
constitutional conciliation commission appointed to draft the new constitution has made
some progress. However, efforts have been slowed by problems such as the Syrian unrest
and fighting with the PKK in southeastern Anatolia, and Erdoğan has threatened to bypass
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