A Textbook Example of Dialogue between Cultures

Reactions to the terrorist attacks in Turkey this past November brought one thing to light: achieving a relationship with Turkey that is free of prejudice is still a far-off goal. Many people insinuated that the terrorist attacks perpetrated by fundamentalists had something to do with Turkey's political system, or at least suggested such a connection. People have always acted, and continue to act, as if Turkey were an Islamic state rather than a secular one.

German politicians have made statements tending in this direction, while not coming right out and admitting to this opinion. At the same time, the question of whether Turkey should join the EU has been linked with the attacks and the supposed security risks that would ensue.

But it is simply shameful to instrumentalize the bombing victims in Istanbul in this way. The attackers' target is Turkey as a state, since in their eyes the secular political system there strives too hard to affiliate itself with the West.

Striving to combine Islam and democracy

Thus, critics are discrediting a model that endeavors to combine Islam and democracy with a secular constitution. The Islamic terrorists hope to spread fear throughout Europe, as if the threat of terror were just outside the door. But whoever gives into this fear mongering and thinks that rejecting Turkey's EU candidacy is a solution to the problem, is greatly mistaken.

Because, first of all, this kind of attitude is playing right into the hands of the terrorists; and second, Turkey would also be following the terrorists' game plan were it to give in and turn away from NATO and the democratic path.

Regional instability and a Turkey that drifts back and forth between the conflicts in the Middle East and Central Asia would be the result – one that would genuinely put Europe at risk. Europe would thus be well advised not to break off the dialogue. For, in the final analysis, this is the only way to achieve improvements for all of us.

Problematic issues that need to be resolved

Admittedly, there are some problematic issues in our relationship with Turkey that must be resolved to everyone's satisfaction. Nevertheless, we should continue to follow the road map that foresees the launch of accession negotiations by the end of 2004.

The accession decision will depend on the fulfillment of certain political criteria. Deficits in human rights issues, freedom of opinion, cultural rights, and the independence of the judicial system still remain and must not under any circumstances be swept under the rug. In these areas Turkey still has a long way to go.

Turkey has been astounding his critics

However, the country has already made great strides in the short time since the Erdogan administration has been in power, astounding many critics and demonstrating Turkey's will to meet the EU criteria.

An important part of the candidacy discussion is being carried out, at least implicitly, on the cultural level.

The headscarf debate is merely the most conspicuous example. It shows that the questions that truly divide us are more of a cultural, or ostensibly religious, nature. This can also be seen in the day-to-day contact between Turks and Germans living together in Germany.

The prospect of successful Turkish-German dialogue

The problems here are so diverse that they call for urgent attention at home, parallel to the European unification process, in order to create a national basis for understanding and dialogue. If we succeed at this, Turks and Germans living together in harmony could form a prime example for cross-cultural dialogue.

In Germany today, there is a great deal of discussion about immigration and integration: for example, the issue of dual citizenship and the work of the immigration commission. These tend to be viewed as purely domestic issues.

The truth is, however, that they are closely related to the cultural dimension of European unification, and to the exigencies and opportunities that exist in the realm of foreign cultural policy, which has pledged itself to "unity in diversity."

Politicians must face up to integration of immigrants

The high proportion of Turkish and other immigrants in Germany's population, and their integration into society, pose both challenges and opportunities, but are in any case an absolute must for politicians to face up to.

Everyday reality without Italian restaurants, without Turkish and Arab snack shops or dance groups at folk festivals, is simply inconceivable. Germany is not defined ethnically, culturally or religiously. Therefore, it is possible for people from many different ethnic backgrounds to live together here, each group preserving its own culture.

Against a policy of isolation

The basis for this is formed by the German Constitution, with its guarantees, such as religious freedom, and its duties, which pertain to everyone.

Integration policies and their networking with other political fields must be viewed as a whole, particularly since their impact outside the country is often underestimated.

The international cultural relationships entered into by German politics are characterized by give and take. Of course, German foreign policy does not attempt to be value-free, but is instead committed to democratization and human rights, to fighting poverty and achieving sustainable improvements.

This also goes for European cultural policy, which in addition must be more strongly oriented towards diversity and better integrated into joint foreign and security policies. This is also the case when it comes to Turkey, which in these terms can perhaps be seen even more clearly as a part of Europe. Only in this way can we counteract terrorism in Turkey and elsewhere – and not by exercising a policy of isolation.

Monika Griefahn

© Zeitschrift für Kulturaustausch 2004

Translation from German: Jennifer Taylor-Gaida

Monika Griefahn is a member of the German Bundestag and chairperson of the Committee for Culture and Media.