Should Turkey Be Allowed To Join EU?

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Yes, I do. It at the very least has a better claim than Russia at being European, IMO.

Russia has a far higher percentage of its population actually in Europe than Turkey does, has a far larger European land mass, and is more culturally similar to Europe than Turkey is by a large degree.

[Sprayber]

Originally posted by Saint Marcus
No. Turkey is underdeveloped, has a poor human rights record, and is fundamentally non-European.

And I'm even more against it, since Turkey demands that it should be allowed to join. From where I'm standing, they are in no position to demand anything. This is our union, we chose who we want in. If we let any nation in, they should be grateful, not the other way around. And certainly not an underdeveloped nation like Turkey.

Does anyone else see in this statement the dripping bias against anything not European? With attitudes like this the EU will become just another excuse for Europe to push their supposed superiority over the rest of the world. It's the same old thing that has gone down for centuries. Your sounding like a superpower wanna be.

[Dauphin]

If Turkey applied for and demanded accession to the USA, would you think such a response acceptable?

[DaShi]

The US wants to join the EU eventually.

[chequita guevara]

Anyway, Turkey has a very European culture. Heck, the whole Young Turk movement was to modernize and Europeanize the Ottoman Empire, which they've done very well.

The reason Europe doesn't want them is there are too many Turks, who they fear would be able to move and live anywhere in the EU, taking good jobs at lower pay from decent Christian white folks (never mind that Turks are white).

[Harovan]

I don't see why the US should have a vote on Turkey joining the EU or not. If they want, they can make it the 51th of their states. But wait, that's already Israel. The true reason why the USA presses the EU to take Turkey is, because Turkey is threatening to leave the NATO otherwise. And the USA needs Turkey as a reliable air base to keep a hold of the Middle East. Incirlik, anyone?

The answer should be "not yet", for economical and human rights reasons, as mentioned. And they have to change their attitude from "We demand" to "Could we please". But there's no such an option. So "no" remains my choice.

As for the comparison of the economies of Turkey and Germany, yea, it's true. Turkeys economy is far superior. Hundred thousands of German workers already went to Turkey for jobs.

[Sprayber]

Originally posted by Sagacious Dolphin
If Turkey applied for and demanded accession to the USA, would you think such a response acceptable?

Perhaps if you asked if say Mexico or some small central American country asked to join the US. Otherwise it sounds kind of silly to compare Turkey joining the US and Turkey joining the EU.

[Boris Godunov]

Geographic proximity is more and more meaningless, Sprayber. After all, Turkey has closer ties to the US than Europe and is more firmly under the influence of the US than any other country in the world. It would make as much sense for them to demand the US that they join us.

[Sprayber]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
I don't see why the US should have a vote on Turkey joining the EU or not. If they want, they can make it the 51th of their states.

Unless I have missed a major development, the US doesn't have a vote in the EU. We can express our desires but in the end it will be up to the Euros to keep those Turks out.

[HershOstropoler]

When they got their act together, and want to join, I say let them. I'm just not sure Turks will still want it once they realise EU membership not only means access to funds, but also hefty limitations on sovereignty.

The US can't wait to get Turkey into the EU for two reasons: 1st as we'd foot the bill for stablising this US ally, and 2nd they see Turkey as a trojan horse to undermine the Union.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Sir Ralph
As for the comparison of the economies of Turkey and Germany,

What I said was that Germany's economy is a drag on the European economy.

[Sprayber]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Geographic proximity is more and more meaningless, Sprayber. After all, Turkey has closer ties to the US than Europe and is more firmly under the influence of the US than any other country in the world. It would make as much sense for them to demand the US that they join us.

Since joining the US would mean them being a mere state and joining the EU would mean being an equal partner, why would it make as much sense?

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
The reason Europe doesn't want them is there are too many Turks, who they fear would be able to move and live anywhere in the EU, taking good jobs at lower pay from decent Christian white folks (never mind that Turks are white).

I don't buy that Christian rhetoric. I think its just the thought of millions of poor immigrants flooding Europe. The religion, ethnicity or culture is beside the by.

I have reservations about letting Poland and other former Soviet states in too. And you can't say thats due to their culture or religion. Its to do with their economic situation and size of potential migration.

[HershOstropoler]

Originally posted by Sprayber


Since joining the US would mean them being a mere state and joining the EU would mean being an equal partner, why would it make as much sense?

I think you are underestimating the federal structures of the Union.

[Harovan]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
What I said was that Germany's economy is a drag on the European economy.

Thank God. That means we'll have to pay less in the common pot in the future. But wait... if it comes to payment, Germany is always considered a giant, while all others are dwarves.