Turkey and The EU

Your human rights record is questionable, and your economic stability isn't where Europe would prefer it to be either. Not that other European countries are model economies either, but they're considerably closer. Also, there is the issue of how to handle immigration. I don't think Germany wants a sudden influx of Turkish nationals whom it has to allow into its borders, and to whom it must supply the full welfare benefits.
The new admits into the EU are also considerably closer culturally to the original EU members than Turkey is. While I'm not necessarily opposed to a future inclusion of Turkey into the EU, I wouldn't want it right now, nor would I push for it.

I think here you disagree with a large part of your government. For years Turkey has sought to compare itself to Europe rather than Asia. You play football in Europe, and don't really associate with the Arab nations. You have a strong tie to Israel, and maintain your secularity virulently. You've been trying to be associated with Europe as much as possible. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Oh come now. You haven't been an enemy of Europe for quite some time. From 1377 until 1620 (although 1577 is probably a better date) you were. But by the middle of the 17th century, you became no different than any other European power, and a century later you were the sick man of EUROPE.
You're also ignoring the fact that for centuries the Ottoman Empire had more Christian subjects than Muslim ones. Its center of power had been European for centuries by the time the Empire was finally broken up.


Look, France has managed to go to war against practically every country in Europe (and lose) but they can be in the EU. You haven't been a foe of Europe since Lepanto (or the siege Vienna if you're reaching), but merely another power on the outskirts of Europe. Sort of like Russia, except weaker.
Sure, Greece will never forgive you (until you change it back to Hagia Sophia ), but Germany has made France its bitch repeatedly in the last century and a half, and they co-exist comfortably.

In a somewhat distant future I can see Turkey as part of the EU.

 

Actually, your current government is not the first to try to get into the EU. I know Turkey was submitting for entrance as far back as cerca 1990 when I was living in Ankara. Your leaders want in because of the economic benefit. But first your country has to stablize the economy and society in general. Also, don´t think for a second Turkey will get admittance if there is a possibility the current government will use it to create an Islamic state. Your current government leaders aren´t unlike the leaders in the rest of the world, they´ll do what they have to so they can stay in power.

P.S. My family and I really enjoyed our time in your country. Turks are some of the nicest people in the world. Great places to see and excellent food. Why don´t you move to Sevilla, Spain and open a good Iskender restaurant. You´re gaunanteed one steady customer. I would recommend a visit to Turkey for any vacationer.

 

The EU would never tolerate a non-secular member, so I think these fears are misplaced. The EU guarantees certain freedoms to all of its citizens, and it would be directly incompatible with the Sharia.

True, but I'm not sure what that has to do with your treatment of the Kurds. You have total control of Syria, since you control their water. Iran doesn't bother you. Iraq - well, that's the Kurd issue again.

Yeah, Greece and Armenia have good reasons to dislike you. And you them.

Well.....that's not really true. Once you get into the EU, you'll have the same power. The EU is very careful to ensure that every voice is represented.

I'm not Greek, actually, and have no Greek ancestry. My screenname was an accident, of sorts.
Having national pride doesn't preclude you from trying to join the EU, imho. You just don't need it immediately. Look at it this way - the EU is currently the most civilized and wealthy group of states in Eurasia. To aspire to that is certainly no insult. I would rather see myself on the same level as Europe than the current incarnation of the Middle East.

That's not true. No Europeans I know beside the Greeks really hate the Turks. Certainly Western Europe doesn't - the Germans just don't like the attitude of Turk immigrants who refuse to learn or join the culture. Do some of the Europeans think Turkey is somewhat backwards? Sure - but they think similarly of Poland. I think you're exaggerating the hate, since Turkey was never a large proponent of militant Islam, which is the Western fear du jour.

Of course, but my point is that Turkey has had ties to Europe for a very long time.

First, I was joking. But on serious note.......Hagia Sophia is different. For 1000 years it was the pinnacle of Christendom - certainly more impressive than anything Western Europe managed to achieve. (The Old St. Peters was a dilapidated edifice for centuries.) Constantinople was the high point of modern Greek culture, and it is still the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch. There's a lot of history there.
As for the Church in Budapest, its quite likely that it was a church before it became a mosque.

Good luck with your paper.

P.S. If you could tell us what Ruffryder's problem is, we'd appreciate it

 

My problem is people try to attack my mother-land, but anyways I do not think Turkey will ever get into EU, Western Europe is afraid that we will bring a Islamic way into EU, you are correct, but I like your point on how Turks in Germany dont accept the culture (i have many Turkish family, also a lot Persian family there), while some do accept teh culture, most do not. Although I do not have a great deal of knowing this, I could tell when I go there every summer. In England I feel Turks accept the culture better, because there are less of us.