Should Turkey Join the EU?

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Turkey has legislated laws in view of full EU membership and these have been acknowledged on numerous occasions in the conclusions of European Council summits. The 1993 Copenhagen Criteria is being slowly but steadily met. The question lies on the grounds whether the EU can manage to include Turkey. If we take into consideration the present 2004, has the EU digested the new member states? Should it embark on another huge project of enlargement so fast? Are religion and Cyprus insurmountable issues? Should the EU step back? Accession of negotiations should initiate with mutual understanding that it is going to take a long time for the EU to be ready to absorb Turkey and for Turkey to implement the legislation which it changed over the years. The issue of recognition of Cyprus is to be dealt with right before the start of the talks in order to have it out of the way. On other issues, it should be treated as other candidates have been treated. Religion is not an issue if it is not mixed up with politics. France (for instance) desires a secular Europe and on similar ground, therefore, religion should be left to theologists not to politicians. -- Joe Borg Camilleri

I believe that conservatives' views are not in the interest of whole EU. They have backward views of Europe and will isolate Europe further in the world and diminish their role in Central Asia and the Middle East (energy and oil centers), especially (as the) current US and Israeli power in the region will grow if the EU doesn't produce new policies. The exclusion of Turkey will further divide the world map based on religion (and) create further instability for world peace. Turkish entry to EU will create a dynamic Europe economically as well as politically, and cultural exchanges will create new harmony between religions rather than further divide. -- Dr. Guven Uzun

I urge all Germans to recognize the long-term strategic importance to world peace that the entry of Turkey into the EU will bring. The EU talks the talk of tolerance -- it's time for actions to match words. Forcing Turkey to recognize Cyprus is ill-advised at best at this time. All people should work to make this union work, not create more obstacles. -- Blanton Ray

Tayyip Erdogan's comments reveal that Turkey has a long way to go before its political culture and institutions are changed to comply with EU norms. How can the EU admit a country whose laws permit the government to discriminate against and persecute ethnic and religious minorities such as the Kurds, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholics and other Christians? If any other EU country where to have the same legal restrictions on non-Christian religious practices and property that Turkey currently has on its non-Muslim minorities, the world would be outraged. There is simply no evidence that Turkey's government is willing to allow its non-Muslim minorities, such as the Greek Orthodox, to have the same legal and property rights as Muslim citizens. -- Michael Pasquale Sasso

Turkey certainly belongs to Europe in a political, military and economical context. In terms of culture and faith, there is no doubt that Turkey is also deeply rooted in the East. Turkey already belongs to the COE, OSCE, OECD, NATO, EEA, EU Customs Union, Europol-partnership and many more. Istanbul will host the UEFA football Champions League Finals in 2005; Ankara is often the main venue for European security and police meetings etc. Most people who strongly oppose Turkey have basically never been to the country.
The Muslim-dominated identity of Turkey should not obstruct Ankara's EU membership process. Discrimination because "they are Muslims" is completely against the fundamental EU values and I hope the EU public will oppose ethno-fascist and racist forces. Turkey has proved in the last 50 years (that it) functions respectfully in leading European security and economic institutions. The time has come for Turkey to further harmonize its system with the EU. -- Atilla A. Iftikhar

One of the important goals of the European Union is to provide a peaceful, prosperous future free from the petty hatreds, divisions and wars that almost destroyed Europe in the not so distant past. The denials of some overt and covert European racists, notwithstanding, Turkey has been a European country for centuries. Historically, its Muslim population has been kinder to and more tolerant of other religions and peoples than the Christian Europeans have been to each other. It is only fitting that Turkey should be a member of the EU as it has embraced the ideals of democracy, peace and Western civilization. Furthermore, this question of Turkey's entry to the EU has already been answered in the affirmative many times by the EU itself. -- Robert Erel, USA

Read more readers' mail on Turkey joining the EU

German conservatives have turned to colleagues in France for help in blocking Turkey's bid to join the European Union. DW readers weighed in on whether Turkey should indeed become part of the bloc.

Since Turkey is not a European country (96 percent of her landmass is geographically in Europe and the 4 percent that is is due to an historical fluke), it should not be admitted into the EU. Having said that, the EU could sign a free-trade agreement with Turkey like it would with any other sovereign nation. But that should be the extent of the relationship. And I find it appalling that Turkey is seeking to dictate the terms of negotiation. Who does she think she is when she says "we will not accept any other conditions?" She is not in any position to insist upon anything. She wants to join the club, the club does not want her in. Therefore, Turkey should either be willing to accept whatever the EU requires or she should stay out. How badly does she want to join? Then she needs to start taking responsibility for what she wants. If she's not prepared to do so, she should not be allowed to join. -- Felicity Hope, Singapore

If Turkey was not a Moslem country I would say "yes," but with radical Islam spreading at an alarming rate, having them in the EU would be like inviting in a "Trojan Turkey." Better to wait until the Jihad movement has been totally eradicated. -- Charles Reichert, Canada

I usually encourage stronger relationships between Germany and Turkey, however after personal experience I can say: A full EU membership for Turkey is a huge step (that) will cost the EU (a great) price! What should the EU do? One, the EU should start long negotiations with the Turkish end with a conditional membership to put the EU on the safe side. Two, the EU should try to figure out why Turkey needs full EU membership and then try to put more solutions on the table, things the Turks can't deny. -- Aiman Yunes

As a Cypriot I am hoping that Prime Minister Erdogan keeps his word. I understand that he also has tremendous pressure internally, and it won't be easy for him to simply dismiss his opponents (army, right wingers) by recognizing Cyprus. However, one has to admit that if you do want to be part of a family, you need to be in good standing with all the people in the family.
I would like to see Turkey in the EU, because deep down the people aren't bad. The country's military, however, used to impose its will over everyone as initially it was the only way to control the diversity in that country. Even though I think it's a fair deal, it will come down, once again, to how much does Erdogan get over the army. -- Theo Theocharides

Turks tend to be much more moderate in their approach to Islam. The Turkish approach to Islam in one's personal life, for example, could be a "role-model" for the other Moslem peoples, living currently within the EU. Sure the Turkish model of democracy hasn't been a smooth one, and they are still "working" things out, but let's not forget even Germany had its Hitler, and there's nothing so bad in the Turkish model of democracy that could parallel Germany's Hitler or Russia's Stalin.

Europe faces "roughly" two futures. The first would leave Europe as a largely Christian club with economic associations, lacking true diversity and any means of affecting its policies anywhere on the globe. The second choice would define a much different Europe; one that is both culturally, ethnically diverse and possibly one with a more unified presence and greater military ability to effect its policies and desires around the globe; providing a "balance" to other, currently much more powerful, countries.
However, it takes "vision" to take the second approach. It takes the ability to see beyond paranoia ("the Moslems are out to get us") and fears ("how will we ever support them all!"). The EU could "throw" in a "monkey-wrench" of sorts in to the works in the form of "humiliating" demands that would simply derail the whole works. But it would be too naive to expect the Turks to not see such tactics for simply what they are: excuses covering the real reasons behind the rejection. -- Mustapha Stokely, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, USA