Turkish membership of the EU?

[Yao]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?



okay, you're the only one that doesn't even need a long explanation to vent his opinion here, lol

[GregWhelan]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?

No for me, mainly for their treatment of the Kurds.

Also, if only 3% of the territory is actually in Europe, it's a bit silly isn't it?

[Yao]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?

it's all politics man, the Us wants that buffer (as does Europe itself), and I guess the latter is drooling over the economic opportunities out there: the last batch of eastern European countries was stretching it though, and they still want to add Romania and Bulgaria pretty soon too.

Remarkeable how principles seem to just dissapear when economics are on the line, although it seems that in the case of Turkey it will remain a stumbling block - they're already making mention of breaking off the negociations, which means throwing away 40 years of talks.

[LoUiS]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?

I don't want to be bad or sth, but Turkey definitly can't become an EU member. Check the daily news for god sake.
Turkey faces increasing nationalism, continuing religious and ethnic discrimination, prosecution of dissenting, pacific opinions and excessive military involvement in politics. From my point of view, Turkey?s entry into the EU will have profound consequences on the future direction of the EU. I believe that the inclusion of such a large country with a 'different culture' and poor economy might make it extremely difficult for the EU to deepen its integration.
What about the Cyprus issue! Turkey refuses to acknowledge the Republic of Cyprus (an EU member), as the sole authority on the island, but instead recognises the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the North.
Another issue is that Turkey and Turkish Cypriots, for 30 years rejected all UN proposals, but suddenly backed the 2004 Annan plan aimed at reunification of the island, but was subsequently rejected by us (Greek Cypriots) on the grounds that it did not meet our needs.
There are lots of other issues to mention but i think that those i mentioned above give a picture why Turkey cannot become an EU member!

[KinKyJ]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?

^^^ I agree completely with that. How on earth can a country become member of a club of which one of the members is subject to a sea and air embargo?

On top of that, I don't like the Turks' attitude at all: now that the EU is being critical about Turkey, a growing number of Turks is losing its faith in the union and even started to "distrust" it. C'mon, what kinda bs is that???

[Yao]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?

Same as when you don't get something you really want and try to justify it by suddenly saying "It was a piece of crap anyway"...

[KinKyJ]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?

Inderdediddelydoo partner, just like the way you talk about women

[Yao]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?

Always. Those that reject me are whores, standard.

[KinKyJ]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?

EU sets deadline for Turkey on Cyprus imports

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) -- The European Commission gave Turkey until mid-December on Wednesday to open its ports to shipping from Cyprus or face consequences for its European Union membership talks.


"Failure to implement its obligations in full will affect the overall progress in the negotiations," the EU executive said in a critical report on Turkey's progress.


Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU had decided "to give a chance for the diplomatic efforts to find a solution" on the Cyprus trade issue.


"The Commission will make relevant recommendations ahead of the December European Council if Turkey has not fulfilled its obligations," the report said.


The 25-member EU executive criticized a slowdown in reforms since Ankara began talks last year but stopped short of recommending consequences for its accession process, leaving the decision to EU leaders when they meet on December 14-15.


Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan ruled out a collapse of the EU talks, expected to last at least a decade, but acknowledged some negotiating 'chapters' might by held back.


"There is no chance of a rupture or anything like that, in my view. A suspension, a breakdown of consultations, the train halting at the station, these are not possible," he told Turkish reporters, adding: "There could be a slowdown on chapters."

Full story

[Yao]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?

So they will open the ports, but not before they've rapidly implemented a number of policies on import/export that will strongly disadvantage and discourage Cyprian traders and companies...it's all in the game.

[KinKyJ]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?

What I was thinking: from a purely legal point of view, don't they indirectly recognize Cyprus if they make a customs deal with them? I mean, you can't make a deal with a party you don't recognize in the first place, right?

[rubyraks]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?

What I was thinking: from a purely legal point of view, don't they indirectly recognize Cyprus if they make a customs deal with them? I mean, you can't make a deal with a party you don't recognize in the first place, right?

hmmm...shall we apply this same rationale to the Palestinians?

[KinKyJ]

Re: Turkish membership of the EU?

^^^ that's comparing apples with lemons imo