French Green Hélène Flautre, who also serves as the co-chairperson of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, has said Turkey's main opposition leader has missed an opportunity and ignored his role in consensus-building by not attending the Oct. 29 Republic Day reception hosted by President Abdullah Gül.

“Had he attended the reception, he would have given a strong message to society,” she told Today's Zaman for Monday Talk. “The opposition has a very important role in consensus-building in a society.”She was referring to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), who came to power this year, giving hopes that the CHP would be a renewed and positive force in the country's democratic development.“His decision to not go to the reception made me rethink my hopes about the CHP. Apparently, my hopes were not realistic,” she said.Flautre also mentioned the European Union's expectations of Turkey, a candidate country currently in negotiations, with regard to drafting a more democratic constitution. She stressed that Turkey should renew its concept and definition of citizenship in its new constitution to be inclusionary.We talked to Flautre following a conference she participated in at the Zaman daily on Saturday where she addressed journalists, writers, students and workers.I'd like to ask you a question regarding your perceptions of Turkey while growing up in France. How have those perceptions changed, if they have?Turkey has changed so much since my childhood. Today's Turkey is very different from the Turkey of the Midnight Express of my childhood. Today's Turkey is a candidate country to the EU and has been increasingly democratic and pluralist.‘I was disappointed by Kılıçdaroğlu's choice to not attend the [Republic Day] reception. It was a missed opportunity. Had he attended the reception, he would have given a strong message to society. While listening to him during his “no” campaign to the constitutional reform package, I was hopeful because of his remarks about his standpoint on the issue of the headscarf in Turkey. But his decision to not go to the reception made me rethink my hopes about the CHP. Apparently, my hopes were not realistic' When you look at Turkey now, what strikes you the most?As I've experienced it during my duty as a member of the European Parliament, the most striking thing about Turkey is the process of change and modernization, and the fact that there is a lively public debate on this process. This is interesting for me as a politician. It is also interesting for intellectuals, union leaders and many parts of the society in Europe.You took over the job of Mr. Joost Lagendijk, who has been an outspoken co-chair. Do you find yourself under the spotlight?The chair of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee has come from the Greens for a long time. The first co-chairperson was Daniel Cohn-Bendit, then came Joost Lagendijk and then I. Why the Greens? Because the Greens see the issue from a wide perspective. Turkey's inclusion in the EU is important for the Greens. For socialists and conservatives, the issue is different. They abstain from being in the public eye with their policies regarding Turkey's membership issue. When we look at the issue from another perspective, we see that we are in a different time period than the co-chairmanship periods of Daniel and Joost. We are in an important time period as far as Turkey-EU negotiations go. We might be in the last phase of the membership debate.As we have learned from news coming from Brussels, the European Union is about to call for a new civilian constitution in Turkey as part of its enlargement strategy. What is it exactly that the EU would like to see in a new Turkish constitution?First of all, the quill pen is not in our hands; it is in the hands of the Turkish people as regards the drafting of their constitution. If we ask, what can we as Europeans do, the most important thing to do is to support this process, especially how Turkey can reach a consensus on the issue. The election process in Turkey is important in that regard as it provides all political actors a platform to discuss the making of the new constitution. The new Parliament could then be a constitutional assembly. When it comes to the contents of the new constitution, these are all well known. I don't have to mention the other issues related to freedom of expression, religion, etc. because those are currently at the center of the public debate in Turkey. I can mention the issue of citizenship as an example. The term “citizenship” must be definitely renewed in the new constitution in a way to include everyone because the current model of citizenship was built only on “Turkishness.”‘Turkey's new constitution should renew concept of citizenship'We know that reaching consensus is an integral part of the developed democracies of the West, though this can hardly be achieved in Turkey. You mentioned in the conference here that the new CHP leader had missed an opportunity to do just that by not attending the Republic Day reception. Would you elaborate on the issue? What is the role of the opposition in consensus building?‘EP cannot exclude direct trade regulation option regarding Cyprus'On the Cyprus issue, the European Parliament's legal affairs committee voiced an opinion recently that the issue of direct trade with Turkish Cypriots is not under the parliament's jurisdiction. This sparked bitter reactions from both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots as they believe the decision encourages the Greek Cypriot side to further drag its feet on efforts to find a solution to the old Cyprus dispute. Do you think Turkey should forget about the direct trade regulation?When Europeans understand that their future is with Turkey, the Cyprus issue will be solved. Five chapters have been blocked by France. It is not only Cyprus that is blocking the process. Cyprus alone cannot block the negotiation process. And the direct trade issue has not yet been finalized. It would be silly for the EP to exclude a regulation on the direct trade option.‘European politicians have begun to fear not having Turkey in the EU'Have Europeans considered the possibility that Turkey may one day choose to not become a member of the EU?This view that Turkey may not be a member of the EU is now becoming believable. This was not the case a few years ago as everybody was fixated on the idea that Turkey would one day become a member, and then that there would be more problems in the EU. There are now fears that Europe might lose something if Turkey does not become a member. European politicians in general have started to discuss this issue seriously.‘Freedom of press one of the best indicators showing progress in democratization'“Turkish journalists perform a dangerous profession, especially if they report on issues related to Ergenekon and the Kurds. The shortcomings of the Turkish system regarding its harsh treatment of journalists do not escape EU's observations. The issue is going to be addressed in EU reports. The freedom of the press issue is one of the best indicators of progress in the democratization of a country. The new reform package included changes in the judicial system that can help address it since one of the problems is that the judiciary does not act independently. The government would also need to address shortcomings in the penal code and counterterrorism laws”‘Good and bad news related to Ergenekon case'What do you see when you look at the Ergenekon case?One good piece of news is that people who support military interventions in Turkey are now being tried. This is a new development for Turkey, where the coup culture is vanishing. However, the bad news is that a lot of people are under detention without knowing what they are being held for. The rule of law should apply to all, no matter who they are. Both viewpoints are important while looking at the Ergenekon case. I don't want to get into comparisons with the EU states, not to mix up the issue. For example, in my own country, the government has not taken a step back on a retirement reform package even though 3 million people took the issue to the streets in protest. There should be a principled approach regarding the issue of consensus. When I heard the news that the CHP leader did not attend the reception, I was very upset because the opposition has a very important role in consensus building in society. Being in opposition in a society means that there is richness and there is hope for change. When the CHP got a new leader, I had high hopes for change in the party. But I was disappointed by Kılıçdaroğlu's choice to not attend the reception. It was a missed opportunity. Had he attended the reception, he would have given a strong message to society. While listening to him during his “no” campaign to the constitutional reform package, I was hopeful because of his remarks about his standpoint on the issue of the headscarf in Turkey. But his decision to not go to the reception made me rethink my hopes about the CHP. Apparently, my hopes were not realistic.What do you think of the generals' choice to not attend the same reception?It did not upset me at all. It was expected that they would not attend.You also voice your opinions and sensitivity about the Kurdish issue in Turkey in your articles. You touched upon the issue when you mentioned how the citizenship issue should be handled in the new constitution. What else would you say about this?The Turkish government has been quite “European” regarding some issues, such as the treatment of immigrants and counterterrorism practices -- in a negative sense. Most basic freedoms are violated with regard to counterterrorism measures. The most obvious example is the trial of about 150 people in Diyarbakır and the arrest of children. Therefore, Turkey's new constitution should have changes regarding the concept of citizenship. Right now, Turkish citizenship is based on being a Turk, a Muslim, a republican, a nationalist and even a male. This is a very limited description of citizenship. However, a constitutional reference to citizenship should include a country's history, beliefs, and ethnic and social groups; it should encompass a country's diversity. It should not be based on ethnic and/or religious references.‘Turkey is a chance for Europe to enrich its foreign policy approaches'I would like to discuss the issue of the axis shift debate in Europe regarding Turkey's foreign policy. Does this negative perception -- which you have said became prominent after the Davos incident -- persist? And second, you stated in one of your articles that “Turkey is not steering away from the EU or the West. With this new foreign policy, Turkey is exhibiting an effective foreign policy that cherishes our common values.” These values are common European values, right?Yes.This sounds like a suggestion by you rather than the EU or European leaders. Your predecessor, Mr. Lagendijk, once said on the record that “Turkey's tough policy approach toward Israel is an approach that some European countries would like to adopt, but they cannot.” Do you agree with that statement?My views and Joost's views both reflect European realities. European institutions and European leaders are curious as to what way Turkey is going to go, East or West, this way or that way. In my view, Turkey is not swaying one way or the other, Turkey is at the center of the issue in the world. And with this characteristic, Turkey is a chance for Europe to enrich its foreign policy approaches. This is what some Europeans cannot see.For example, Turkey's Iranian policy is a successful alternative against warmongering policies. Turkey is a source of richness for European foreign policy with its peace-seeking approach with regard to Iran. You have to keep in mind that you are one of the centers in the world. There is a multi-polar world. In practical statements of European politicians, it seems like it is hard for them to take Turkey into consideration.Regarding Israel, it is difficult for European politicians to talk clearly and openly about Israel because Israel is a country of Jews. There is a historical link, a risk of being perceived as anti-Semitic. There are also other, cynical issues, like common interests with Israel, in the area of intelligence cooperation, etc. So it's not easy.‘European leaders find scapegoats to avoid addressing burning problems'Helene Flautre Co-chairperson of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary CommitteeShe is a member of the French Green Party, which is part of the European Greens. She is also a member of the European Parliament and sits on its various committees. What is your opinion on the rise of the political right in Europe? Is this what was envisioned at the start of the European project? The European project was born out of the refusal to respond to social and economic crises. We are in many crises today, including financial, social, climatic, etc. We have to think of new ways to live together. It is a big responsibility because we have to rethink the way we live together, the way we consume. It brings me to the idea of a “new Green Deal.” But we are preparing for a world where everyone will fight for water, uranium, oxygen -- a violent world. If you do not address those fears, you have to find scapegoats -- Muslims, Turks, immigrants… This is exactly what is happening in Europe. This is a divisive policy by some leaders to hold power.Is Islamophobia a result of this policy?Yes, it is. But there are also Muslims in Europe. There are about 20 million Muslims in Europe.You indicated at the conference that Europe has been going through difficult times, that this will pass, and that Turkey can be helpful in this process. How can Turkey help?Turkey can help at this bad time by supporting the new Green Deal policies. With the EU reshaped, Turkey can contribute to the formation of a new perspective in Europe. And if Europe -- this old, rich and white man -- accepts Turkey, it would gain a lot from that experience. That would mean Europe accepts multiculturalism. 01 November 2010, MondayYONCA POYRAZ DOĞAN  İSTANBUL