Profile of Latest EU Applicant
By Laura Scott and Emily Pennink, PA

The Scotsman, UK
Dec 17 2004

Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to offer to back Turkey’s EU
membership bid today after winning support from fellow European
leaders.

The Republic of Turkey is spread over 779,452 square kilometres and
has a population of around 68.1 million.

Turks account for 85% of the population, Kurds 12%, and 3% are other
Islamic peoples, Armenians and Jews.

Languages spoken are Arabic, Turkish, Armenian, Greek and Kurdish.
The predominant religion is Muslim (Sunni).

Major industries in the country include textiles, food processing,
tourism, motor vehicles, mining, lumber, petroleum and construction.

Trading partners are mainly the UK, United States, Germany, Italy,
France and Russia. A fifth of Turkish imports come from British firms
and half of Turkey’s trade is with the EU.

Ankara is the capital city. Located in the Central Anatolian steppe,
it has been the political heart of the country since 1920 while
Istanbul takes its place as the cultural centre.

Turkey’s “hero” is Ataturk (Mustafa Kemal), who made it his job to
recreate Turkish society following the country’s bitter victory in
the War of Independence (1920-22).

By the time of his death in 1938, a constitution had been adopted,
Islam was removed as the state religion and women obtained the right
to vote. There are many statues of him across the land.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises travellers there is still
a “high threat from terror in Turkey”.

In November last year, there were attacks against the British
Consulate-General and the headquarters of HSBC and bomb attacks on
two synagogues in Istanbul. Responsibility was claimed by the Turkish
militant group IBDA-C, jointly with al Qaida.

Turkey’s links with the EU were recognised in 1963 when it made an
Association Agreement. In October, the European Commission judged
Turkey meets the EU’s political criteria and is ready to negotiate
membership.

Over the last three years, Turkey has undergone some reforms,
including the abolition of the death penalty and improvements to the
rights of minority groups, in an attempt to bring the country closer
to Europe.