Interviewee: We’ve seen Turks taking a lead role in Afghanistan from time to time on a rotational basis. The Turkish economy does represent a competitive challenge for some other economies in Europe. I would argue that those economies are going to face that challenge anyway, and it’s better to have Turkey in rather than out. At least then, Turkey will be subject to the same environmental laws, protection laws on its factories, things of that sort. But I think there is no getting around the fact that one of the biggest problems for Turkey and the EU is the fact that it’s big.
Interviewer: Will Turkey start to get impatient with this foot dragging and start to look Eastwood, at the Mediterranean, the Middle Eastern countries, fellow Muslim countries, and they would welcome them I supposed. I don’t know.
Interviewee: Yeah. I sense that Turkey is already impatient. And many of you have been there probably more recently that I have been and can speak to that. But I certainly do feel that. It is complicated by the situation that it is the EU that holds all the cards that Turkey must adapt the EUs rules rather than negotiate, and if I can put that way. Will Turkey turn East? I already see Turkey carving out closer relations with many of the countries in its immediate neighbourhood. I think that’s a good thing. Not as an alternative to the EU but as a supplement to that. Turkey should not be only facing West. It should be facing West with the awareness and involvement in its neighbourhood, just as I would expect any EU country. You expect France to have involvement in the [IB].
Interviewer: Correct.
Interviewee: So, I don’t see that as a contradiction.
Interviewer: Uh-hmm. Well, thank you very much Dr. Burwell for the keen insight. We are happy to have you here. Please come again.
Interviewee: Thank you very much.
Interviewer: Thank you.
[Applauding]
[Music]