Turkey and the EU

[1.5 million]

Very good article making some great points (particularly considering the very conservative source...and the fact of the youth of the author)...so the big question of course is - once Turkey finally does get into the EU (AG and other issues aside...as theywill likely be brushed aside eventually...though hopefully not...) - how long will it be before the Turks push for a motion to make defamation of Ataturk a punishable/jailable offense throughout the EU?

[Steph]

Obviously, you don't care about the EU, perhaps you're more interested in PanTuran further east. But, seriously, the EU is not the society or structure it may seem from outside and the recent expansion only serves to dilute and weaken the effect.

[spicerisk]

Pope Benedict XVI is welcomed by the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. There was a difference in views after their brief meeting on the pontiff's stance on EU membership (Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images)

[Joseph]

Pope Benedict XVI is welcomed by the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. There was a difference in views after their brief meeting on the pontiff's stance on EU membership (Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images)

I'm sure he did say some things to appease the reactionary Turkish public.
It reminds of a photo I saw recently from AP of a violent Islamic mob and there was a sign being held up that said in English "Death to those who claim Islam is a violent religion"

[Joseph]

Brussels dashes Turkish EU hopes


Nicholas Watt in Brussels
Wednesday November 29, 2006
Guardian Unlimited


The EU decision plunges Turkey's membership talks into a major crisis. Photograph: Tolga xxxoglu/EPA


Turkey's 40-year dream of anchoring its future in the EU suffered a devastating blow today as Brussels called for eight out of its 35 negotiating "chapters" to be suspended.
The announcement was made by Olli Rehn, the EU enlargement commissioner, prompting swift criticism from Turkey's prime minister and a mixed response from European leaders, who are divided on the issue.

Ahead of the announcement, it is understood that Mr Rehn faced sharp comments from both sides of the argument - those who felt he had gone too far with this move, and those who believed he had not gone far enough.


Article continues

Turkey and its friends in the EU had hoped for a less severe form of punishment after Ankara refused to open its ports and airports to Greek-Cypriot shipping. Britain had hoped that only three chapters directly linked to Cyprus would be suspended.
Mr Rehn, though, made clear the determination of Brussels to register its disapproval with Turkey by widening the number of chapters to eight.

Speaking to Turkish television after the move was confirmed, Turkey's prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said: "Such a decision is unacceptable."

Mr Edogan's aide Egemen Bagis said: "We will not allow anyone to xxxxxle on our rights," and said Turkish leaders would try to avert a partial suspension.

The announcement has plunged Turkey's EU membership talks into a major crisis and paves the way for an intensive round of diplomacy among EU leaders. They will have to make the final decision on what to do with Turkey's talks at their annual mid-December summit next month.

Mr Rehn hopes the talks can be resumed once Turkey complies with its undertaking to extend its customs union to all EU countries by opening its ports and airports to Greek-Cypriot shipping.

Britain will call for a more limited form of punishment. It would ideally like just three chapters linked to Cyprus to be suspended: the free movement of goods, transport and customs union. Tony Blair called it a "serious mistake" to send Turkey such a negative message on membership now.

Today Spain's prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, urged leaders to "work intensively" to keep the EU's doors open to Ankara.

Pro-Turkey EU leaders will have to contend with France, which had called for 17 chapters to be suspended.

The French president, Jacques Chirac, approved of today's statement, his spokesman said. "The president noted that at this stage, the decisions on the Ankara Protocol had not been respected ... under these circumstances, the EU has no other choice than to draw consequences for the negotiations," the spokesman told reporters after Mr Chirac met Mr Erdogan on the sidelines of a Nato summit in Latvia.

Angela Merkel, who this week reiterated her call for Turkey to be offered a "privileged partnership" with the EU, rather than full membership, wanted even more chapters to be suspended than the 17 proposed by France.

Mr Rehn believes he has steered a middle course between the two camps. The eight chapters he is suspending include free movement of services, competition and services plus the three directly linked to Cyprus.

Turkey's friends believe this goes beyond the warning the EU issued to Turkey if it failed to implement the "Ankara protocol", extending its customs union to all EU members by the end of this year. This called for the suspension of "relevant chapters" and an assessment on other measures.

The commission announcement, which comes after Turkey announced this week it would not budge on the customs issue, was brought forward by a week amid fears that there would be leaks from the commission.

The timing could not be worse. A highly symbolic step was taken yesterday when the Pope let it be known, as he arrived in Turkey on an historic trip, that he had dropped his opposition to its membership of the EU. This persuaded the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to drop his unofficial boycott of the visit to greet the pontiff at the airport.

Less than 24 hours later, the EU will show that Turkey's EU dream is in a major crisis - and may now never be realised.

[hitite]

Less than 24 hours later, the EU will show that Turkey's EU dream is in a major crisis - and may now never be realised.

This last sentence just ruins the whole article doesnt it... very emotional. Never say "never" Talks will continue as usual after diplomacy overcomes the obstacle. Turkey's condition to open port to Southern Cyprus is for the EU to lift sanctions and isolation on Northern Cyprus. The EU did not keep this promise but somehow nobody is mentioning it.