Turkey inEU ?

[Zen]

Do you want them in the EU ?
I think we should pull ot and let them take our place.What do you reckon ?

[Chessman]

Turkey is a European nation, and on that basis, they should be in, but then you have the political and religous arguements, and if I tell you what I really think, i'd have the thought police round in a flash, not too sure about them taking our place, the sooner we are out, the better.

[Piper-AK]

Their human rights record is abysmal so until they get their act together 'no'. 

[bernardo]

No.  The only reason why I don't want Turkey to be in the EU is because I don't want any countries to be in the EU because I don't want the EU to exist.  Apart from that, there is no substantial reason (geographical, religious or political) why Turkey shouldn't be in the EU, apart from the possible question of human rights for the Kurds.

[january_bug]

Eddie - my guess is you're 53 or 54, depending on when your birthday falls!

I don't think we should pull out of the EU, although I do agree that it's a long way from perfect. 

To actually address the question, I'm not hugely happy about Turkey coming in.  Not because it's a Muslim country, but because we're going so far east that I'm sure China will be in by 2020 at this rate!  Until the recognise Cyprus as a country/nation, I don't think they should be in.  I aso agree with Piper-AK about Human Rights issues. 

[stevie21]

There's an awful lot to be sorted out between Turkey and Cyprus before I'd allow them in. Turkey refuses to let Cypriot ships and planes use its ports and airports. Mad!
As far as I'm aware, Cyprus had the option of vetoing their entry and if I were the Cypriot making that decision I'd have exercise that option.

[jenstar]

Apparently polls in Turkey are saying that only about a quarter of the population there are actually in favour of joining anyway. That's quite a good argument against Turkey joining.

[jno]

Cyprus should not have been allowed to join, (a) because it's at daggers drawn with another European nation - Turkey - and (b) because it's partly fictional; the writ of the Cyprus government simply doesn't run to northern Cyprus. Now Cyprus wants to flex its muscles to keep the Turks out - if it didn't, Greece would do the job for it but Athens is only too happy to let the Cypriots do its dirty work.

The other opposition comes from Austria, which is mostly using the question of Turkish membership as a lever to get Croatia into the club without Croatia having to surrender its war criminals for trial (Austria and Croatia are buddies - Croatians fought on the German side in WW2); and from France, where Armenians - who hate Turks - are influential.

Turkey is part of Europe; but it is also part of the Middle East - it borders on Iraq - and I can see why European politicians are nervous. The concerns over human rights are also well founded - but of course if Turkey were to join, everyone would want them to ignore the rights of any Iraqis who might want to wander through! 

Turkey has however carried out widespread social reforms to satisfy the EU; if the EU then backs down on its promise to begin talks, its word is worthless. Turks are right to point out that rejecting Turkey will make the EU, in effect, a Christian club rather than a genuine free market.

[silly moo]

sounds like a good idea zen

[brionon]

Bombs in London, Bombs in Bali. The EC has a good idea, ''Let's ask 700,000,000 Muslims to come here.

[Zen]

How many ???? Never be enough Kebabs to feed 'em.

[THECORBYLOON]

brionon the population of Turkey is not 700,000,000 it's 70,000,000 and yes they are nearly all Muslims. You appear to link the word "terrorist" wi the word "Muslim" based on the fact that a few Muslims were involved in the Londondon bombings. Do you know any Muslims, have you met any Muslims? I doubt it. You opinion of millions of Muslims can't be based upon the actions of a few mis-guided people.

[derekblue]

I cant help feeling that any muslim country is stuck in the middle ages.Isnt the Eu about moving forward?I think they have a lot of catching up to do.

[brionon]

Turkey, if you look at a map is a funnel leading into the heart of Europe with very loose borders. 700,000,000. is an Under-estimate. Hidden microfones in a Mosque in Nederland have recorded Immans telling their young men to ''Act like victors, Europe will soon be Muslim.'' I think they may be right.

[THECORBYLOON]

brionon, members of the British National Party and the National Front have a desire for the white Anglo-Saxons to dominate this country and want all immigrants sent back to their own country. It seems to escape them that the Angles and the Saxons came from Europe but why let facts cloud the issues? Members of the BNP and NF have been taped and filmed making threats to and allegations about Muslims. Does that mean that all Christians believe the same? I say again, the views of a small minority should not be taken to apply to the rest of the majority just as it would be wrong to assume all AB members hate Muslims based on opinions of two or three folk on this thread.

[brionon]

Corby lunatic I am neither a member of the BNP nor am I a Xtian, but of course ,that won't stop you using those idiot organizations to attack anyone who disagrees with you !

[piccadilly]

Yes they should be allowed EU membership,they've been very loyal to NATO and to deny them membership, poses the real threat of a fundamentalist islamic regime on Europes doorstep.We can't go it alone, to pull out would be disastrous, however if the EU does descend into shambles then we're no better off then back in 1939, but that in my opinion won't happen again