In order for Iraq to become a democracy, it will need a role model. Turkey could serve that role, said Cem Ozdemir, a former member of the German Parliament.
Ozdemir spoke to students and faculty in a full room Monday in the Whitinger Business Building as part of his lecture, "Turkey, Europe and America: The Future of Relations." Ozdemir is touring the United States as a Transatlantic Fellow of the German Marshall Fund.
According to Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Web site, the country has always played a major role in Western politics. Turkey applied for membership in the European Economic Community in 1959, a part of the European Union. Although its application was denied, the EEC agreed to keep close economic ties with Turkey, according to the Web site.
Turkey applied for membership in the European Union in 1987, and the issue of letting the country in has gone on ever since, according to the Web site.
Turkey's admittance into the Union has been a point of debate for several reasons, Ozdemir said.
One of those reasons is religion, Ozdemir said.
The majority of Turkey practices Islam, and the majority of the European Union practices Christianity, Ozdemir said.
"Religion plays a very important role," Ozdemir said. The European Union may not like the idea of admitting a Muslin country, he said, but they might have to accept it.
"Europe has to deal with Islam because the majority of Europe is Islam," Ozdemir said.
Turkey will offer the European Union and the world democratic benefits, Ozdemir said.
"If we want Turkey to be a full democracy, we can only do that by giving Turkey a chance to enter the E.U.," Ozdemir said.
And if Turkey becomes a democracy, Ozdemir said, then it can be a role model for Iraq.
"And if you really want Turkey to be a true role model, it can only do this as a democracy."
Ozdemir said he hopes the European Union and America will do whatever is necessary to help Turkey become democratic.
"We have to support those powers in Turkey that want to modernize the country towards a full democracy," Ozdemir said.
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