It's here - Turkey is allowed to join EU

[SeleucusNicator]

Can someone tell me what the EU gains from bringing Turkey into the alliance?

Other than a stranglehold over the Bosphorus (where they could prevent Russia from ever putting any ship into the Mediterranean) they get population, probably the most in-demand thing in Europe right now. And if it isn't, it certainly will be come the next few decades.

 

[SeleucusNicator]

Good point. This can be first succesful democratisation and "westernisation" of (almost) purely islamic country and good precedent for other Arab/Moslem countries.

I would hardly call Turkey a "purely Islamic" country. Indeed, it has been by far the most democratic and western of the Islamic nations for decades.

Ironically, it was made and kept democratic and western by force, something that the EU has set itself up against.

 

[Winner]

Other than a stranglehold over the Bosphorus (where they could prevent Russia from ever putting any ship into the Mediterranean) they get population, probably the most in-demand thing in Europe right now. And if it isn't, it certainly will be come the next few decades.

Don't forget the resources so needed in Europe and a tool to influence Middle East (source of oil) and Caucasus.

 

[Winner]

I would hardly call Turkey a "purely Islamic" country. Indeed, it has been by far the most democratic and western of the Islamic nations for decades.

Ironically, it was made and kept democratic and western by force, something that the EU has set itself up against.

Turks must now show what they really want - Europe, or Islamism. Time will tell.

 

[Quasar1011]

The Islamification of Europe continues.

 

[Winner]

The Islamification of Europe continues.

Perhaps some day Mexico will join USA too

 

[Capulet]

The Turkish government is currently run by a Muslim party, so I don't know where you're getting this idea of secularity. In the past, when Muslim parties have been elected, they always made sure to remain secular, because if they didn't, the military would remove them from power. In this way, Turkey stayed secular and democratic while surrounding countries descended into theocracy and despotism. Now, EU demands have taken that ability from the military, and if an extremist party gets elected, nothing is stopping them.

Ironically, the EU, secularism incarnate, may have contributed to the creation of yet another fundamentalist state in the future.

The party isn't an 'islamic' party. Erdogan's original party was, but this one is not. Turkey is a secular country. This is a country that banned hijabs on women. Turkey seems more cautious towards Islam than any other European country.

And do you honestly think that the extremely-secular Turkish military would allow an Islamic government? No, they wouldn't and no, they haven't.

Now, going back on to the topic of the thread, this is wonderful news. Turkey's entry in the EU will not only allow blur the seperation between Islam and Christianity, but it will bring the two religions closer together.

If the rest of the Muslim world sees that the Europeans are embracing a large Islamic country with open arms, do you not think that the Muslims will react postively? They will.

 

[GrandAdmiral]

How will this strengthen the Euro?

 

[kronic]

How will this strengthen the Euro?

Not at all.

Turkey won't join the € in the next decades. Even the current members will need some years.

 

[mrtn]

Good point. This can be first succesful democratisation and "westernisation" of (almost) purely islamic country and good precedent for other Arab/Moslem countries...

Turks aren't Arabs.

I think that the pressure from EU will be good for Turkey, especially for the kurds.

Turkey has a long European history. Of course, most of this history involves war of some kind, but that's just the European way.
BTW, Sweden's oldest consulate is located in Istanbul.

 

[Marla_Singer]

I would have liked better to see Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia joining the EU instead of Turkey. Culturally speaking, Maghreeb countries are a lot more closer to France than is Turkey. Moreover, they are Arab, which is even better as I've understood that putting Turkey in was simply a marketing advertisement to prove Europe was not racist. There's no border issues in Maghreeb as there are in Turkey. And finally, there are less people in those 3 countries together than in Turkey only. In 2050, there will be 110 million Turks and 70 million Germans.

However, the EU Parliament has decided. And obviously the supporters of Turkey in the EU were very proud and happy of their vote. So I guess they know what they are doing.

 

[kronic]

Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia shouldn't join either.

 

[Azadre]

I don't want Turkey in the EU.

 

[ybbor]

okay, i'll ask the question i'm suprised no one's asked, what does this mean for the US?

 

[luiz]

I think it would be great both for Turkey and the EU if the former joined the later. It may be hard at first, but will prove to be worth it.

 

[Capulet]

okay, i'll ask the question i'm suprised no one's asked, what does this mean for the US?

It obviously increases the standing of the United States in Turkey, at least.

I remember President Bush made a speech in Istanbul where he called on the EU to accept Turkey into the EU.

 

[Capulet]

In 2050, there will be 110 million Turks and 70 million Germans.

I'm not very familiar with the EU's constitution or law-making process.

If Turkey has a larger population than most of the other EU countries, will it have some sort of special privilages that the lesser populated countries have?

I know the, 'Big Three' of the EU include Britain, France and Germany, but this is presumably because of their populations, right?

So, would Turkey be a part of the, 'Big Four,' then?

 

[Sims2789]

If Turkey joins the EU, they should be forced to grant equal rights to the Jurds and other groups (there are no laws against people because they have Kurdish blood, but last I heard, speaking Kurdish was illegal.)

 

[Sword_Of_Geddon]

Good point. This can be first succesful democratisation and "westernisation" of (almost) purely islamic country and good precedent for other Arab/Moslem countries.

If it is achieved, we can think about another moslem countries joining EU - e.g. Marocco or Tunisia. But I agree this is pure sci-fi in this stage of development.

Neither of those Countrys are even in Europe! Why is it called the European Union if there are non-European countries brought in? Me confused

 

[Riesstiu IV]

Perhaps some day Mexico will join USA too

No thank you! That would just usher in more social and economic problems on the US. That’s the last thing we need.