Turkish EU Affairs Minister Egemen Bağış, who is also his country’s EU accession negotiator, chose the Holocaust commemoration in Auschwitz to accuse Europe of sliding into racism, “emulating the fascist methods of the 1930s”.
I have met with Bağış a couple of times and I know he likes to make strong statements. But this time frankly, I think he has gone too far. One cannot play with words like ‘racism’ and ‘fascism’ so lightly. Especially people holding office.
Besides, I am uncomfortable with his idea that if the EU rejects Turkey, it is racist, and if it it takes it as a member, it is not.
I would be also very worried if Turkey would start spreading around the idea of ‘racist Europe’ in its sphere of influence.
If Turkey sincerely wants to join the EU, there are too many things it could improve internally to improve its case. Like combating poligamy, an issue EurActiv recently covered. Or taking care of its borders.
