Turkey got a date from the EU!

[VetLegion]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4103397.stm

EU-Turkey talks set for October

The EU has offered to begin membership talks with Turkey next year, with 3 October given as a start date.

EU leaders said the aim of the talks - which could take up to 15 years - would be full membership, but Turkey's entry could not be guaranteed.

The decision was taken at a two-day European Union summit that began earlier on Thursday in Brussels.

EU leaders warned Turkey that it would have to take steps to recognise Cyprus before the talks started.

And prime minister Erdogan said yesterday:

Asked whether his country was looking for a marriage of convenience or of love with the EU, he replied: "I want a Catholic marriage - one that lasts forever."

[VetLegion]

So, what do you think? This a good development or not?

Also, any predictions about what happens now?

Turkey manages to fulfil the criteria extra fast, or negotiating drags on forever, perhaps ending by Turkey abandoning the procedure because the demands come out too difficult to comply with?

[Dinner]

They've given a start date for talks but have said the talks can continue for 15 (!) years.

[Spiffor]

It is a good development, because the idea of Turkey's entry in the EU is fundamentally a good one.

However, I hope the Turks won't be rejected right before their membership becomes true (it CAN happen), and I especially hope that we Euros will change our political system before letting one more big country in (and a very different country from the rest of the EU at that).

[VetLegion]

Turkey is very different. I don't think 15 years is much.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by Oerdin
They've given a start date for talks but have said the talks can continue for 15 (!) years.

They'll need it; Their GNP/inhab is lower than our poorest Member-States', their military has still a very important political might, their judicial system leaves much to be desired, their treatment of minorities (Kurds) is horrendous by EU standards.

But Turkey has shown its willingness to adhere to the EU's economic and political principles. And they have made leaps and bounds about it, and hopefully they'll continue to do so. It needs mucho time however, for the huge gap to be really filled.

[alva]

If they do a referendum about it, my vote would be 'no'.

[kronic]

Originally posted by alva
If they do a referendum about it, my vote would be 'no'.

Same here.

[MarkG]

EU leaders warned Turkey that it would have to take steps to recognise Cyprus before the talks started.

seems like turkey has to recognize cyprus which until yesterday they said they would never do....

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by kronic

Same here.

You don't like Turks in Germany, do you?

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by VetLegion
You don't like Turks in Germany, do you?

Considering that there are millions of Turks in Germany, I would imagine they at least tolerate them neatly

[VetLegion]

They don't seem to be able to assimilate them well in Germany, or am I wrong?

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by VetLegion
They don't seem to be able to assimilate them well in Germany, or am I wrong?

I think it has more to do with the anti-assimilation traditions of Germany than with a genuine dislike / hatred.

After all, it has only recently became possible to become a German. Up to a few years ago, you had to be born a German.

[BeBMan]

Originally posted by Oerdin
They've given a start date for talks but have said the talks can continue for 15 (!) years.

It is not about the talks, it is about the time Turkey will need to meet EU standards in many fields.

[VetLegion]

Look, I'm not going for some bull**** moral high ground here, don't get me wrong.

I'm quite tolerant of other peoples and cultures, but I live in a fairly homogenous country, so it's theory. I can't know how I would react to a big number of immigrants here. Perhaps I'd become a xenophobe the likes of which you have never seen

For one thing, I know I'd hate getoisation (when people of same nationality group to live in the same part of the city)


Back to the question, isn't France better at assimilating immigrants than Germany. Can Germany see why and learn a thing or two?