The former commissioner for enlargement Günter Verheugen warned, in an interview with the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag on 8 October 2006, that: “Europe is sending Turkey almost exclusively negative signals.” He added: “We are focusing on the weaknesses of the country and not encouraging them to change. This is feeding a reluctance to make the reforms we are asking for, which in turn leads Europe to the view that the Turks simply can’t manage it.” He said: “This is a dangerous spiral that threatens to lead to a global political failure of the highest order.”
His comments underline the message sent out by Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn last week, cautioning that talk of a “privileged partnership” risked creating a Turkish backlash.
Verheugen's position is also in sharp contrast with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who on her trip to Turkey last week reiterated her preference for a “privileged partnership”. Nevertheless, she said she would not stand in the way of membership negotiations. Following her visit, Merkel clashed with her coalition partner Social Democrats over the issue of Turkish EU membership.
