Doc Tsiolkovski
Deity
Since I seem to be they only person on Earth who actually thinks this will help the EU immensely, I'd like to hear some discussion.
First, what is the 'EU' supposed to be?
In general, there are two possible concepts:
1) The United States of Europe
This idea revolves around a core-Europe, mostly the historical Karolingian Empire, plus the Scandinavian countries if they decide to join.
France, Germany, the Benelux, Austria, Slovenia, Northen Italy, Czech Republic maybe, share a common history, a closely related ethnicity, common religion (and, more important, attitude towards religion), a common view of the world and the role Europe is supposed to play in it. Great Britain for example simply differs too much in its political goals; so while it would fit perfectly for ethnicity, culture, economy, it won't ever join such an EU.
2) The Commonwealth of Europe
Mostly an economical entity, revolving around free trade zones, common standards for jurisdiction and industry, common conceptions of democracy and philosophy. This allows practically everyone in the neighborhood to become members, if only they accept those standards.
Obviously, once countries like Greece or later Poland, Lithuania etc were allowed to join, the US of E idea was dropped.
So, why not Turkey?
1) Religion
Obviously, Turkey would be the first non-Christian country. OTOH, while the European incarnations of Catholicism and Protestantism are almost identically, Orthodox Christianity is still different - and there was no such discussion when Greece joined, as well there is no such discussion today in the case of Bulgaria.
For me, it's not religion that matters - it's Laizism. And because of that, Turkey seems to be a more suitable candidate than the USA would be...
Also, I can see Israel as a future candidate as well.
2) Ethnicity
The EU already consists of Germanic, Romanic, Slavic, Finno-Ungric, Basque, Celtic...whatever people. The historical roots of Magyars and Bulgars (I know, the population is of Slavic origin) are Turk tribes. Hardly an arguement against Turkey.
3) History
The Ottoman Empire was part of the European history, no way around it. If Turkey doesn't qualify here, why do countries that were part of that empire for centuries, and never existed as nations before the 19th century (Romania)?
4) Politics
Turkey is a democratic country today. No doubt, it needs quite some more time to prove Turkey stays democratic over a longer period. It was a military dictatorship before? So was Spain and Portugal and Greece.
And, the EU accepted Latvia. And in Latvia, about half the population are Russians, and they simply do not share full rights with the genuine Latvians (for example, there is no bilanguity). The EU is aware of that situation, and it is far from being Racism, but still - why was Latvia allowed to join before those legal problems were solved?
5) Economics
Turkey is a poor country, compared to Western Europe. Especially per capita.
Then, what about Bulgaria?
And, the city of Istanbul alone has a stronger economy than any of the Baltic states (and more inhabitants than all of them together...).
No doubt, the rural Anatolia is backwards. But the EU always found ways around granting full benefits in such a case (just ask Poland).
OTOH, Turkey is a huge future market.
6) Geography
Where does Europe end? That discussion is pretty mood; obviously, parts of Turkey are part of Europe, other parts are not. The same applies to France, ironically (Mauritius, Tahiti, all those overseas departments).
7) Size
The most powerful argument.
Malta may have been a doubtful case, but considering there are about 40 cities in Germany with more inhabitants than all of Malta, it really didn't matter.
But Turkey has more inhabitants than all other nations joining the EU (not the EEC) together...
Why should Turkey join?
A huge market. Resources. A young population. Common political goals. Democracy. Political importance. A signal to the world that Christians and Muslims do indeed share common values; conflicts are not caused by different religions, but by fanaticsm. And don't forget, Turkey was a reliable NATO partner since ages.
Still, the situation on Cyprus needs to be solved. Minority (Kurds mainly) rights need to be guaranteed. The role of the Turkish military has to be watched for. Economical progress needs to be made by Turkey itself, not waiting for EU grants.
It will need some time before Turkey fulfills all requirements, or at least, before it is clear if its will to stick to the rules lasts. But in general, I think Turkey has a lot to offer. Way more than literarelly dozens of countries that were allowed/will be allowed to join on autopilot.
First, what is the 'EU' supposed to be?
In general, there are two possible concepts:
1) The United States of Europe
This idea revolves around a core-Europe, mostly the historical Karolingian Empire, plus the Scandinavian countries if they decide to join.
France, Germany, the Benelux, Austria, Slovenia, Northen Italy, Czech Republic maybe, share a common history, a closely related ethnicity, common religion (and, more important, attitude towards religion), a common view of the world and the role Europe is supposed to play in it. Great Britain for example simply differs too much in its political goals; so while it would fit perfectly for ethnicity, culture, economy, it won't ever join such an EU.
2) The Commonwealth of Europe
Mostly an economical entity, revolving around free trade zones, common standards for jurisdiction and industry, common conceptions of democracy and philosophy. This allows practically everyone in the neighborhood to become members, if only they accept those standards.
Obviously, once countries like Greece or later Poland, Lithuania etc were allowed to join, the US of E idea was dropped.
So, why not Turkey?
1) Religion
Obviously, Turkey would be the first non-Christian country. OTOH, while the European incarnations of Catholicism and Protestantism are almost identically, Orthodox Christianity is still different - and there was no such discussion when Greece joined, as well there is no such discussion today in the case of Bulgaria.
For me, it's not religion that matters - it's Laizism. And because of that, Turkey seems to be a more suitable candidate than the USA would be...
Also, I can see Israel as a future candidate as well.
2) Ethnicity
The EU already consists of Germanic, Romanic, Slavic, Finno-Ungric, Basque, Celtic...whatever people. The historical roots of Magyars and Bulgars (I know, the population is of Slavic origin) are Turk tribes. Hardly an arguement against Turkey.
3) History
The Ottoman Empire was part of the European history, no way around it. If Turkey doesn't qualify here, why do countries that were part of that empire for centuries, and never existed as nations before the 19th century (Romania)?
4) Politics
Turkey is a democratic country today. No doubt, it needs quite some more time to prove Turkey stays democratic over a longer period. It was a military dictatorship before? So was Spain and Portugal and Greece.
And, the EU accepted Latvia. And in Latvia, about half the population are Russians, and they simply do not share full rights with the genuine Latvians (for example, there is no bilanguity). The EU is aware of that situation, and it is far from being Racism, but still - why was Latvia allowed to join before those legal problems were solved?
5) Economics
Turkey is a poor country, compared to Western Europe. Especially per capita.
Then, what about Bulgaria?
And, the city of Istanbul alone has a stronger economy than any of the Baltic states (and more inhabitants than all of them together...).
No doubt, the rural Anatolia is backwards. But the EU always found ways around granting full benefits in such a case (just ask Poland).
OTOH, Turkey is a huge future market.
6) Geography
Where does Europe end? That discussion is pretty mood; obviously, parts of Turkey are part of Europe, other parts are not. The same applies to France, ironically (Mauritius, Tahiti, all those overseas departments).
7) Size
The most powerful argument.
Malta may have been a doubtful case, but considering there are about 40 cities in Germany with more inhabitants than all of Malta, it really didn't matter.
But Turkey has more inhabitants than all other nations joining the EU (not the EEC) together...
Why should Turkey join?
A huge market. Resources. A young population. Common political goals. Democracy. Political importance. A signal to the world that Christians and Muslims do indeed share common values; conflicts are not caused by different religions, but by fanaticsm. And don't forget, Turkey was a reliable NATO partner since ages.
Still, the situation on Cyprus needs to be solved. Minority (Kurds mainly) rights need to be guaranteed. The role of the Turkish military has to be watched for. Economical progress needs to be made by Turkey itself, not waiting for EU grants.
It will need some time before Turkey fulfills all requirements, or at least, before it is clear if its will to stick to the rules lasts. But in general, I think Turkey has a lot to offer. Way more than literarelly dozens of countries that were allowed/will be allowed to join on autopilot.