Irish No boosting Turkish Euroscepticism - economist

A PROMINENT Turkish economist says Ireland's current "ambivalent" attitude towards the European Union has encouraged Eurosceptic sentiment in Turkey.

Prof Sevket Pamuk told the Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin that the Turkish government had become unenthusiastic about European integration recently and was now paying more attention to the views of Eurosceptics.

Asked whether Eurosceptics in Turkey were encouraged by Ireland's rejection of the Lisbon Treaty, he said "of course, obviously they were".

He added: "It is noticed. It certainly makes things a bit more difficult for Turkey, but Turkey doesn't look for membership next year or in two years' time so we hope that five to 10 years from now the Irish will have ample time to reconsider."

Prof Pamuk, who is chair of contemporary Turkish studies at the London School of Economics, blamed a "nationalist backlash" in Turkey against the EU on a "very sharp change" inside the EU in recent years.

He pointed to vocal opposition to the idea of Turkish membership from leading politicians in some European countries.

"Turkish-sceptics in Europe and Europe-sceptics in Turkey have had a field day, feeding on each other."

Prof Pamuk predicted that Europeans would take their economic disappointment out on the European Union.

He said Europe was currently experiencing "enlargement fatigue", which would be made worse by the worsening economic situation. "I'm very much aware of that, speaking in this country," he said.

"The Irish may feel rather ambivalent towards European Union and especially feel disappointed about the current economic problems, but in the long term I feel Europe has been good for Ireland and Europe will continue to play a positive role for Ireland. I expect eventually the Irish people will come to that."

Prof Pamuk said Turkey had a lot of homework to do on social, political and economic issues before it could become an EU member, but it could act as a bridge between Europe and the Muslim world.

He said Turkey could be an important asset to the EU in terms of security issues, especially in the Middle East, and in the transmission of energy supplies to European countries.

Addressing concerns about jobs, he said Turkey had an ageing population, like European countries.

"In a decade or two there won't be many young Turks to go around looking for jobs."