PROS AND CONS: TURKEY BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE EU

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April 6 2009

Turkey’s geographic position at the crossroads between Europe and
the East, and its history since Ataturk as a modern secular state,
allows it to provide a much needed bridge between the western and
Islamic worlds.

More tangibly, it is also the country across which key pipelines
bring oil and gas from Asia.

The Turkish economy is growing rapidly. European countries need to
access it as easily as possible.

Turkey is better equipped to mediate in the Middle East than European
countries. During the recent crisis in Gaza, Turkish diplomats
were able to talk directly to the Hamas leadership. It also has
comparatively good relations with Israel.

With its strong military tradition and large armed forces, Turkey
would be a military asset for Europe. It has already been a Nato member
since 1952 and currently has 1,500 troops fighting in Afghanistan. This
loyalty and commitment to the western cause should be acknowledged.

The Turkish population is young and increasingly well-educated. The
aging EU cannot afford to block this demographic from its workforce.

Large numbers of Turks, including those who went to Germany as guest
workers, are already familiar with Europe and its customs.

Turkey has already responded to the EU’s demands for change. It has
abolished the death penalty, introduced tougher measures against
torture and introduced reforms to help women and Kurds.

THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST

In many countries, notably Austria, France and Germany, very few
people want to allow Turkey to join the EU. Their views should be
taken into account.

Culturally, Turkey is not European. It is an Islamic nation which
does not fit into the EU ‘Christian club’.

Granting Turkey EU membership would mean allowing a wave of Turkish
immigrants into Europe.

Turkey, part of the G20, is a very big country. It would soon exercise
too much power in the EU.

EU countries have to achieve a certain standard of democracy and human
rights. Turkey, which treats both its Kurdish minority and its women
appallingly, doesn’t reach this standard.

With a GNI per capita of just over $8,000, Turkey is not yet rich
enough to join the EU. It will cost taxpayers in other countries too
much to subsidize it.

Despite recent advances in its relationship with Greece, Turkey’s
territorial claim to northern Cyprus is not accepted by Greece and
others in Europe.

Turkey refuses to recognize the Armenian Genocide of 1915. It would
be hypocritical of EU countries, many which have extremely strict
laws against Holocaust denial, to allow them membership.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress