Turkey in the European Union?
I've just finished reading about Enlargement Policies within the European Union. It's actually quite interesting. Why states want to join and why the current members accept them into the union.
The last part of the chapter talked about Turkey and their application of membership. They applied early to become a member, allthough it was first in 1987 they formally put an application forward. Still today they are not members. Unlike the other 13 member states that applied after that year. The question is why. To me it seems very easy why they should not become a member of the European Union. For me Turkey is not European. Geographically only a tiny bit is part of Europe. And culturally the situation is similar. The culture is more that of the Middle East than Europe. And there's nothing wrong with that. Absolutely nothing. The European Union has declined membership application from Morocco and Tunisia on the basis that they are not European. The difference of opinion within this debate is clear since just by looking at statements by different representatives of Britain and France. Britain has once said: "Europe is never complete without Turkey." France said: "It will be the end of Europe."
Another issue to me is the human rights situation. To become a member of the European Union there are certain criterias that has to be met. Three to be more specific. One of them is a political criterion that says that states must have stable institutions, gurantee democracy, human rights and protection of minorities. To me, Turkey does not fulfill that requirement.
I am no expert on the subject. I know that. But to accept at state into the union based on geo-political reasons (like Britain wants to) seems very Cold War'ish to me. Like when the US supported dictatorships in Latin and South America to avoid communism. It is not correct. And it is not fair. Not to the existing member states. And not to the population of Turkey.
The last part of the chapter talked about Turkey and their application of membership. They applied early to become a member, allthough it was first in 1987 they formally put an application forward. Still today they are not members. Unlike the other 13 member states that applied after that year. The question is why. To me it seems very easy why they should not become a member of the European Union. For me Turkey is not European. Geographically only a tiny bit is part of Europe. And culturally the situation is similar. The culture is more that of the Middle East than Europe. And there's nothing wrong with that. Absolutely nothing. The European Union has declined membership application from Morocco and Tunisia on the basis that they are not European. The difference of opinion within this debate is clear since just by looking at statements by different representatives of Britain and France. Britain has once said: "Europe is never complete without Turkey." France said: "It will be the end of Europe."
Another issue to me is the human rights situation. To become a member of the European Union there are certain criterias that has to be met. Three to be more specific. One of them is a political criterion that says that states must have stable institutions, gurantee democracy, human rights and protection of minorities. To me, Turkey does not fulfill that requirement.
I am no expert on the subject. I know that. But to accept at state into the union based on geo-political reasons (like Britain wants to) seems very Cold War'ish to me. Like when the US supported dictatorships in Latin and South America to avoid communism. It is not correct. And it is not fair. Not to the existing member states. And not to the population of Turkey.
Tamil Tigers
Just a short entry..
But has everyone heard the news? The Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka have been defeated. Their leader is dead and now the rebuilding of a nation might be able to begin. Depends on how the government acts. If they allow international aid. Lets hope so. For the people of Sri Lanka's case.
I believe it's been 18 years of war on the island. Maybe this can be a new start for the many citizens?
But has everyone heard the news? The Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka have been defeated. Their leader is dead and now the rebuilding of a nation might be able to begin. Depends on how the government acts. If they allow international aid. Lets hope so. For the people of Sri Lanka's case.
I believe it's been 18 years of war on the island. Maybe this can be a new start for the many citizens?
