Do you want Turkey in the EU?

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Gangerolf

Turkey is not European.

And Cyprus is ? Or Malta ?

Molly, so the Turks raped and pillage Hungary for a while and left some old buildings. OK, that explains it.

And like the Magyars, are fellow Asiatics....

Along the streets almond trees blossom in early spring, and the pleasant atmosphere of restaurants and coffee houses gives the feeling that you are in the Mediterranean.

See ? Turkey just wants to officially rejoin Europe, having left its influence behind in so many places.

Turkish delight:

[Cyclotron]

Budapest Baths

I have not yet met anyone in Austria who wants Turkey in. I think those figures must be about right. I suppose it's just the attitude they have from kicking Ottoman behind twice.

It seems like at least one party here is campaigning at least partially on the 'fact' that certain members of the present government are 'for Turkey.' Somehow I doubt I could get as far campaigning for the governorship of California on the basis that 'my opponent is for Mexico.'

[Sandman]

Yes.

It's choice for the EU whether it wants to be a positive force for reconciliation and peace, or geopolitical embalming fluid.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Sandman
Yes.

It's choice for the EU whether it wants to be a positive force for reconciliation and peace, or geopolitical embalming fluid.

Better to have Turkey inside the Euro pavilion pissing out, than on the outside pissing in.


Turkish delight for Ted Striker:

[Gangerolf]

Cyprus - yeah it's in Asia but Greece likes them. Plus they're tiny.

Malta - just south of Sicily, of course Malta is European.

[Zulu Elephant]

Yes.

It turns the for geopolitical reasons (olive branch to the muslim world etc.) and economic reasons (lots of young labour to solve Europe's demographic problems)

[CerberusIV]

Yes, let them in.

If they weren't going to be allowed to join then they should not have been strung along with the possibility of entry this far.

At least they have something resembling an economy, unlike Romania amongst others.

With Turkey joining the politicians will have to find a proper solution to the constitution and representation. Without Turkey I think they will be more inclined to fudge it again.

[Cort Haus]

Cyprus might look a long way from Europe on the map, but it feels like Europe on the ground.

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by Gangerolf
Vet, so you think democracy is hypocritical?

No, the behaviour of the EU is pretty hypocritical. EU should either openly say it's a christian culture club, or a geographic club, and put that down on paper in a treaty or in the constitution -- OR -- it should open negotiations with Turkey just like with any other member.

If you remove those two (religion and geography, with the other being much weaker - see Cyprus) arguments, there are very few things that set Turkey apart from say Romania or Bulgaria.

Pulling Turkey by the nose, as they are doing now, can't pay off in the long run. Basically what they are doing is telling Turkey to fulfill all the criteria, but nobody can vouch that even fulfilling criteria and doing sucessful negotiations for years will guarantee membership. Since, you see, "people don't want Turkey in" and democracy can't be ignored.

By the way, I support referenda on issues as important as these. They should be held, even if it meant shutting the door for Turkey and the rest of the Balkan candidates, including my own. The people should get to decide to whom they open borders to.

That was my opinion. Now my prediction: Turkey will become a member of EU within next 20 years or so.

[VetLegion]

A theory that I've read, that the British government is supporting Turkish entry because it will make further EU integration more difficult, is pretty convincing to me.

And if you take a look at this thread, it is not only the government - individuals from UK seem to support Turkish entry too (maybe for different reasons, but still).

[Cort Haus]

Good points, Vet. The EU shouldn't be stringing these Balkan countries (not just Turkey) along, but I'd disagree with any definition of the EU as a Christian cultural club. As a secular democrat, I see Europe's core values coming from enlightened and democratic traditions rather than religious ones.

So, Turkey can qualify with its modern secular democratic traditions, but the two other likely Islamic Balkan states of the future wouldn't. Ayatollah Ashdown's Islamic Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina can stay out for a start (pop : majority non-Muslim), as can the Mafioso-Slaver-Terrorist Republic of Kosova (pop: 100% pure Shqiptar).

[chequita guevara]

Turkey should get in, but only after it stops occupying Cyprus and Kurdistan.

[DinoDoc]

Kurdistan doesn't exist.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by DinoDoc
Kurdistan doesn't exist.

Because it is occupied.

[DinoDoc]

By Iran.