NATO-PA MEETINGS

Defense and Security Committee, Political Committee and Economy and Security Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly held their annual meeting in Brussels.

Presentations were made to parliamentarians that went to Brussels from NATO member countries. One of those was Crisis Response: An Integrated Approach, presented by Stefano Sannino.

Stefano spoke about how he, acting on behalf on EU, played an active role in crisis's around the world and how he brought solutions to them. He even talks about how after the Tsunami brought together the administration and militants in Bande Ache and brought peace. At the questions and answers after the presentation, being a regular at this type of events, Mr. Bagis, and MP from Istanbul and Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Advisor bursts this question:

"Thank you for the presentation Mr. Sanino. We are impressed that the EU was active in crisis's around the world from Darfur to Bande Ache, from Afghanistan to Kosova and even at places that we've never heard of in Africa. What I'm wondering is, what is the EU doing for crisis's within the EU. What are you doing for a member country that still hasn't resolved its border issues, keeps the large portion of the population to an unjust isolation, while dismissing all peace, unity and permanent resolutions of the UN? As you might have guessed, the member country I'm mentioning is Cyprus, with its current leadership who with a negative attitude dismisses all peace initiatives offered. What are you doing while the Turkish population on the island comes up with a proposal almost every six months to assist the peace efforts, and the promises of your previous bosses Mr. Prodi and Mr. Verhugen are still to be kept." Sanino's reply was grave. "We deal with crisis's outside of EU, not inside."

Olie Rehn who later addressed the same group gives such positive messages regarding the accession of Europe; the Turkish delegation still leaves the room happy.

In the afternoon Bagis and the Turkish Delegation Chairman Vahit Erdem repeat the question in front of the Greek parliamentarians at the Foreign Relations Commission of the European Parliament. It must be an embarrassment to the relative people so the question is avoided and a solid answer is not given.

It seems that the Europeans are tired of the Greeks' fractious attitude and have come to the point of abandoning defense.

(Exerpts from Murat Celik's Article published in "Today" on February 28th, 2006)