It's here - Turkey is allowed to join EU

[Britannia]

Well all I know is that this will screw the U.K you can expect to see half the population of Turkey move to Britain because of are over generous benifit system.

One "good" thing about this is that these talks will likely take 15 years and hopefully by then, we'll be out of the EU.

 

[Megabyte]

Because if we called it the EurAfricAsian Union the true scope of our plans for world domination would be revealed far too early...

Psscchhhh !!! not so loud But really , beside all the dangers and obstacles in the way to full membership in the EU , think about the possibility of all the new members (including then also turkey and maybe also hungary , the ukraine and bulgaria) with a completely build up market economy in lets say 20 years--- many more million customers for our cars , machinery etc. trade from which we all would benefit.

 

[Iggy]

Well all I know is that this will screw the U.K you can expect to see half the population of Turkey move to Britain because of are over generous benifit system.

A small price to pay for loads of delightful Turkish birds over here.

 

[Longasc]

Great.

In TEN YEARS or even longer, FIFTEEN YEARS Turkey is allowed to join.
Correction: PERHAPS allowed to join.

Ugh!

After taking cheating Greeks, poor countries full of criminals from Eastern Europe, countries who do not care about set financial / monetary regulations (France, Germany) into this Union, the debate about "human rights", "economics", "culture" and whatever problems people have with Turkey is really laughable.

I see no real gain for Europe from letting Turkey join, but I also saw no real benefit from letting East European countries join it either. I would have prefered them to become "privileged partners"!


I would have prefered Turkey to join in a shorter timeframe, but honestly I would like to get rid of this whole European Union idea. I see too many problems for a really good working union, no common language for example.

I would rather prefer competition within Europe than a unified european economy. People speak sometimes of a european counterpart to the economical power of Asia and the USA, I speak of an interesting experiment, with me probably being the loser!

 

[Stapel]

I would rather prefer competition within Europe than a unified european economy. People speak sometimes of a european counterpart to the economical power of Asia and the USA, I speak of an interesting experiment, with me probably being the loser!

The EU is exactly there to increase competition within the EU! That is one of the most important things we have achieved in the EU.

The idea of forming economic blocks is nothing but a fake dream idea. Economy doesn't work in geographical blocks competing eachother.

 

[HannibalBarka]

Their... European-related culture ??? (except Cyprus, see below)

Well that's the issue. You think Turks have no Eurpean related culture, I think the opposite.

Russia ? Each day that passes, I wish they never entered the EU. Someday Russia may come back on the right tracks again. A large part of Russia lies in Asia, and I don't think it's Russia's aim to enter the EU anyway, just look at what happened in Ukraine.

I know that Russia aim today is not to enter the UE. My question to you is "if the Russian wanted to join the EU, will you be against that because much of Russia is in Asia not in Europe?

It's even better when you have a source when you quote figures... I want to believe you... otherwise it's a crime (to go against its population's desire).

Here is one:
http://actualite.free.fr/actu.pl?doc=monde/3_2004-12-13T0657_FAP0323.xml

True. I for one want to recognize all the **** that France did through the years. In hindsight there are plenty of things about which i'm not proud of my country. Still, not recognizing what happened to be a genocide is lame. Do Turks have the guts to do it ? Errr, about Algeria, maybe I lack some knowledge, but I have ALWAYS heard of the "war of Algeria".

OK. War of Algeria was officially called "The Events of Algeria", it's never been recongnized as a war until 2002 I think.

 

[Stapel]

Well that's the issue. You think Turks have no Eurpean related culture, I think the opposite.

I've been there twice, and it is, to me, quite clear Turkey is European indeed.

 

[Winner]

Great.

In TEN YEARS or even longer, FIFTEEN YEARS Turkey is allowed to join.
Correction: PERHAPS allowed to join.

Ugh!

After taking cheating Greeks, poor countries full of criminals from Eastern Europe, countries who do not care about set financial / monetary regulations (France, Germany) into this Union, the debate about "human rights", "economics", "culture" and whatever problems people have with Turkey is really laughable.

Should I feel offended?

I see no real gain for Europe from letting Turkey join, but I also saw no real benefit from letting East European countries join it either. I would have prefered them to become "privileged partners"!

Yes, I should.

 

[AceChilla]

I've been there twice, and it is, to me, quite clear Turkey is European indeed.

I won't ask you a definition of European, but I think half the world could fit in it if Turkey fits it.

 

[Winner]

I won't ask you a definition of European, but I think half the world could fit in it if Turkey fits it.

Certainly. For example Canada is actually more European than American. If they wanted they could easily join the EU.

 

[AceChilla]

Certainly. For example Canada is actually more European than American. If they wanted they could easily join the EU.

Indeed, I think most Southern American countries and Japan can be considered European also.

That is if you define European as Democratic and Capitalist. I prefer a smaller Union because it's hard enough to create a common foreign policy as it is. And I think that if you would hold a secrete vote in the European parlement most of the people agree.

 

[Longasc]

There is no need to feel offended. I did not attack anyone personally, but nobody should be too embarassed if I tell them what I think about the "value" of their countries for the European Union and what I think about the European Union in general.

After all, this is just my opinion, and usually East Europeans disagree.

I think it is really amusing to see a few East European nations doubt that Turkey has "rights" to join the EU for whatever reasons, after the EU accepted them with open hands.

 

[AVN]

And I think that if you would hold a secrete vote in the European parlement most of the people agree.

Funny, the vote in the European parliament was secret

 

[AceChilla]

Funny, the vote in the European parliament was secret

Don't we know which party's voted for it and against it? Anyway a system with strong party dicipline doesn't say anything about the opinions in the European parlement anyway

 

[Winner]

There is no need to feel offended. I did not attack anyone personally, but nobody should be too embarassed if I tell them what I think about the "value" of their countries for the European Union and what I think about the European Union in general.

After all, this is just my opinion, and usually East Europeans disagree.

I think it is really amusing to see a few East European nations doubt that Turkey has "rights" to join the EU for whatever reasons, after the EU accepted them with open hands.

Why should i feel offended? Maybe because it sounds pretty arrogant and furthermore it simply isn't true? In Cz. we have pretty low crime and about third or half of all crime is made by albanians, ukrainians, serbians and so on. So called Eastern Europe is of great benefit for EU, because of much higher economic growth, better investment enviroment, cheaper workforce. On the other side, Germany, France or Italy have too high taxation, huge costs of labour, low economic growth. Eastern Europe is region with enormous potential and in future, it will be one of the economic centers of EU.

So please let us poor and ungrateful criminal east europeans, speak to you, master, because we are sometimes right

EDIT: Open hands? This is joke or what? Especially Germany prohibited people from new member countries to work in Germany, than you didn't give the same subsidies to eastern farmers and so on. In fact, you proposed some second-class membership. Now, your government wants to dictate new members the level of their taxation to protect inefficient German welfare state. In next few years, Czech republic will pay more money to EU budget than it recieve, therefore we will be pure donators (though not so big as Germany). Still, we are glad to be members of EU. In return we expect old members to view us as EQUALS.

 

[Winner]

Indeed, I think most Southern American countries and Japan can be considered European also.

I don't think so, Japan has completely different culture than for example Canada or New Zeland has (and which is very similar to European one). From South America, only Argentina (IMO) can be considered as "European".

Canada on the other side has similar economical and political system as many European countries.

But generaly I agree with you, many countries around the world can be considered as enough "european" to join EU

 

[kryszcztov]

Greediness is human nature, not some capitalist invention

OK, but I told about "capitalistic greediness", which is even more extreme. I talked about a form of greediness, and the way some people consider it as the major thing in life and relationships.

So what - French Guayana is in South America, Ceuta is in Africa. There is nothing like "Europe" at all - it is only peninsula of Asia, speaking about geography. We should percieve Europe as a cultural sphere and Turkey is then definitely European country.

I'm not sure of the status of such territories (French Guyana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion, St Pierre et Miquelon, Nouvelle-Calédonie, French Polynesia, to name the most important for France), but I think they have a special status, ie. they don't fully belong to the EU, but I'd like someone to confirm. Anyway, if you want my opinion, I'm for letting such territories become independant through a smooth process. Happy ? And no, Europe isn't a cultural sphere, it's a geographical continent ; and no, the EU isn't a cultural sphere, it's an organization, and it's not entirely based on culture.

Israel will join either, so calm down It is only question of time - after conflict in Palestine is resolved, there won't be any obstacle on their way to Europe.

LOL. Errr... LOL. Never. Not even in your dreams.

Turkey is motivated and in future they will show if they are ready or not. I don't know why should we say them "you don't have even the slightest chance to join us".

We don't want to say that (if I admit they should join the European countries in a certain organization (not the EU, since it's the "European Union", but why not something else ?)), but we'd like Turkey to show their real motivation, instead of waiting for the EU to tell things that are so evident. Turkish leaders abuse the EU and I don't like that at all. Morons.

Should Hungarians apologize for their crimes commited in 10th century? They've came from Asia either But please notice i am not saying Turkey shouldn't apologize, this genocide was quite awful thing.

It's a genocide we're talking about, and that happened during the XXth century. We have many Armenians in France (Djorkaeff, anyone ?), so we hear of the problem from time to time.

Turkey can be in fact a nice way to destroy CAP (as someone here already mentioned) and then I am 100% for it We need "new blood", and if Turkey is able to become more European in its nature, let it join.

Difficult question. Do you think Turkey can become somewhat European (or more European) in a few decades ? I don't say NO but I doubt it. Turkey isn't only about Istanbul and the Aegan coast.

Well that's the issue. You think Turks have no Eurpean related culture, I think the opposite.

OK, we disagree. Never been to Turkey myself, but I have a minimum of culture and knowledge. Ever been to central and eastern Turkey ?

I know that Russia aim today is not to enter the UE. My question to you is "if the Russian wanted to join the EU, will you be against that because much of Russia is in Asia not in Europe?

I would still oppose it, if it was to happen today. Just look at Putin's policy. The Russian population is far from being prepared to such a project. But : Russia is more European than Turkey is, in geography, in culture, etc... Anyone disagrees ? Still, having a country that extends to as far as the Bering's Straight would fit oddly into the EU. Russia is something else, and that doesn't mean they can't be our friends. I hope that people don't take such arguments like Bush's ones, ie. "Those who aren't with us are against us". That's US bull****. That is not the message I want to tell to Turkey.

OK. War of Algeria was officially called "The Events of Algeria", it's never been recongnized as a war until 2002 I think.

Don't know, really. All I know is that the French State should have recognized such stuff a long time ago, and that is bad. We, as French people, were barbarians over there. It's time we started to realize it and that it stopped to be "tabou" (not said in society).

And thanks for the link. It shows something scary : many Turks don't want to stay in their country to help making it better inside the EU, they just want to profit from the EU's easier laws to go elsewhere. The age of colonization isn't over. What a pity.

 

[Longasc]

It is amazing how one-sided positive you see the Czech Republic. You must walk around with closed eyes in your own country.

All your babble about other Eastern Europeans being responsible for crime and whatever in the former CSSR is simply TOO FUNNY. Then you make wrong statements about Czechs and whatever not being allowed to work in Germany.

Idealism and Imagination are good things, you are probably DREAMING of an European Union the way you want it. Better do not wake up.

I wish you a bit more realism for your idealist views. Then I would not have to be so cynical after reading such stuff!!!

 

[ComradeDavo]

Whilst I am in favour of expanding the EU I have worries about Turkeybeing allowed to join because of their human rights record.

Well all I know is that this will screw the U.K you can expect to see half the population of Turkey move to Britain because of are over generous benifit system.

Yes just like half of Eastern Europe moved over here as the BNP's European elections leaflets claimed was going to happen

In fact, the hype surrounding claims that there would be an influx of Poles (this was often wrote about in papers such as the sun and the daily mail) turned out to be complete fantasy, if you look at the figures they were tiny and some of those people have since moved back! And polish people have actually had a very good impact in my home city as they are working as Bus drivers, which means there is now enough drivers to make sure the Buses are running on time!

I have no problems with the idea of Turkish people coming here to work, my worries are that there government has a very bad human rights record and treats the Kurds very badly.

 

[Winner]

I'm not sure of the status of such territories (French Guyana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion, St Pierre et Miquelon, Nouvelle-Calédonie, French Polynesia, to name the most important for France), but I think they have a special status, ie. they don't fully belong to the EU, but I'd like someone to confirm.

Me also AFAIK they are parts of France and therefore members of EU. Only Greenland refused to be part of EU, but still it is part of Denmark.

Anyway, if you want my opinion, I'm for letting such territories become independant through a smooth process. Happy ? And no, Europe isn't a cultural sphere, it's a geographical continent ; and no, the EU isn't a cultural sphere, it's an organization, and it's not entirely based on culture.

No... Err, yes. Yes that I am right Europe is considered as continent only because some geographers couldn't imagine Europe as a mere peninsula of barbaric Asia. In fact, it IS peninsula And I've said Europe, not EU, is cultural sphere

LOL. Errr... LOL. Never. Not even in your dreams.

Care to make a bet? Israel will definitely join EU, i think they've already unofficialy said it in 90's.

We don't want to say that (if I admit they should join the European countries in a certain organization (not the EU, since it's the "European Union", but why not something else ?)), but we'd like Turkey to show their real motivation, instead of waiting for the EU to tell things that are so evident. Turkish leaders abuse the EU and I don't like that at all. Morons.

Turkish leaders are doing very, VERY politically suicidal things to please EU. I think they must have really big motivation.

It's a genocide we're talking about, and that happened during the XXth century. We have many Armenians in France (Djorkaeff, anyone ?), so we hear of the problem from time to time.

Russians also don't want to admit their treatment of Chechnya is genocide. Many countries commited VERY terrible things in the past and must say they are sorry for that, not only Turkey.

Difficult question. Do you think Turkey can become somewhat European (or more European) in a few decades ? I don't say NO but I doubt it. Turkey isn't only about Istanbul and the Aegan coast.

I don't know, if I did, I would be in head of European Comission I've seen some pictures from Turkey in TV news and it look pretty modern. I know that some areas in Anatolia are in fact in 19th century, but this can be said about Portugal, Greece or Italy also.