Austrians say: either Croatia is in or we block Turkey

[VetLegion]

Turkey will have to make concessions about that, also about the sea border with Greece, because having military aircraft dogfights between two EU members is unacceptable.

[axi]

As a greek left-wing catch-phrase says: The Aegean belongs to the fish

[Atahualpa]

wtf?

[Gangerolf]

Originally posted by axi
Of course all this means nothing since Cyprus (and Greece, by solidarity) will veto the Turkish bid because Turkey still does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

I don't think it will get to that. They'll have to sort it out before Turkey can join. Not having any border disputes etc is a membership criteria iirc.

[Gangerolf]

Of course, as has been pointed out, this isn't the only way to block Turkey. Several countries (including France) may be holding referendums over the matter. A majority of Germans are in favour of a referendum on Turkey too, but referendums are kind of illegal over there.

[Last Conformist]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Turkey will have to make concessions about that, also about the sea border with Greece, because having military aircraft dogfights between two EU members is unacceptable.

More so than 'tween two NATO allies?

@che: The EU is not, and will not for a very long time be, a single country.

[Gangerolf]

How come Germany and Germany jr like Croatia so much, btw?

[Last Conformist]

They were very loyal Habsburg subject for centuries.

[Whoha]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
I wanna be in the EU. How do I apply for membership?

First watch family guy, the one where he discovers that his house has never been part of the US, do that, form your own nation of your house, apply to join the EU, wait.

[Gangerolf]

L.C., a lot has happened since then, though.

[Wernazuma III]

Originally posted by Atahualpa
wtf?

What I guess my fellow countryman wants to say is that as Austrians we still are absolutely unaware of any such Austrian policy. And I read several newspapers and all the major national news.
ata: What do you think how Gusi sleeps tonight?

[Traianvs]

Croatia is corrupt like hell. It's not much better than Middle-East countries. It's even worse than Belgium, and that does mean quite a lot tbh.

On the other hand In Belgium 100% of the citizens evade taxes (majorly ). It's hard to believe that Croatia has the same tradition

[Ancyrean]

Originally posted by VetLegion
I just hope underlaying European animosities with regards to Turkey's membership don't break over Croatia's (or any other small country's) back.

I think the reasons in Europe behind the objections against Turkish membership is totally unrelated to any applicable to other (smaller) countries.

Turkey's membership is becoming an issue of its own category, in the sense that despite the fact that Turkey fulfilled the criteria demanded by the Commission, it's somehow not subject to the same rules others were. And that despite the numerous "reassurances" by Europe that the same rules will apply.

My regard for Europe is getting lower and lower these days

[Ancyrean]

Originally posted by axi
Of course all this means nothing since Cyprus (and Greece, by solidarity) will veto the Turkish bid because Turkey still does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

If we are talking about vetoing the start of membership negotiations with Turkey, then where do you get this idea? Greece repeatedly supported Turkey's membership and carefully avoided any indication of any veto in the offing.

As for Southern Cyprus, they have been toying with the idea but even they avoided putting the issue in a recognise-me-or-veto setting.

If you meant vetoing an eventual membership after the negotiations are completed, then it will be a whole new ball game some years from now, where Greek Cypriots in the south may have to face their loss of face in Europe by their intransigence about the UN Plan, let alone feeling free about a veto.

Southern Cyprus was assumed by Europe to be "European enough" to accept a deal hailed as fair, balanced and comprehensive by Europe and the UN. Now, no European authority or government is able to put the slightest pressure on Turkey, since it's a deep embarrasment for the EU that a plan they wholeheartedly supported was rejected by the side that was becoming part of their union.

For obvious reasons anyway, even if Croatia gets into negotiations with the EU, I am certain that it will somehow be stripped of the capability of vetoing out a future candidacy of Serbia, since at least Greece, but also Bulgaria and Rumania who will be in first, will have reasons to want the Serbs in as well.

I would be surprised if there was such a conditional restriction imposed on Croatia for its future vetos. It wasn't applied to Southern Cyprus even after they rejected the universally-supported UN Plan for the unification of the island.

Also note that Greece is prepared to block EU talks with FYROM until the name dispute is solved.

Nevertheless, the situation is not the same as before after the US recognition of Macedonia.

[Ancyrean]

Originally posted by axi
Greece's position on FYROM is undefensible, yes. But Cyprus's position (it is a position of the Cyprus Republic primarily, Greece will just support it) is very fundamental: Turkey does not recognise the existance of a EU member state and declines to establish an embassy. The two countries do not have ANY diplomatic relations and one can't travel from one to another. They are currently in a friggin CEASEFIRE. That's why Cyprus cannot help but veto Turkey's bid, as long as this situation stands. And this if we disregard the whole occupation issue.

As I mentioned above, this reasonable-sounding proposition took a huge hit after Greek Cypriots rejected the UN plan for unification. Greek Cypiots are still struggling to adopt to this uncomfortable position of being seen as the reason behind the continuation of the status quo. (Turkey was in the same situation for 30 years before its reversal of established policy and endorsement of the UN peace plan)

Let's face it: Greek Cypriots regard the Turkish Cypriots only worthy of a minority status, and would never settle for a partnership deal based on equality which was actaully accepted in the world as the basis for a solution for 30 years.

Turkey's intransigence was so taken for granted by the Greek Cypriots that they signed on/supported all UN proposals (all of which was on a partnership basis) without worry. The world turned upside down when Turkey finally reversed its course.