Are you for or against the integration of Turkey into the European Union?

Question

I'm checking out the opinions in various countries of the EU. So, would you like Turkey to join the EU? And why?

Answer 1

Not as long they occupy Cyprus, mistreat the Kurds, do not respect human rights and the army is controlling the state.

Answer 2

I think Turkey should be allowed to Integrate with the EU. It can only improve vastly when inside the EU. The EU has been created not only to provide economic stability between its nations but also ensure political stability and peace with neighboring countries. And that's why is to everyone's interests to allow Turkey in. Politics is quite a complex matter and I am not an expert on it. By integrating into a union where decisions can be taken jointly, past & current issues can be resolved in time. Turkey is a vast country and we should not expect immediate results on improvements of human rights and open political issues such as Cyprus, the armenian genocide,human rights violations etc.

I am a greek cypriot, and I know exactly how it feels to have part of my country under occupation over a complex issue of the cyprus question (it has become complex due to the inactivity of things over the past 32 years). Blaming one side or the other does not solve anything, it just prolongs the current situation.Allowing Turkey to join, would resolve more issues toward agreeing final solutions to problems than not allowing Turkey at all. But at the same time, Turkey has an obligation towards obeying the EU rules to achieve that, and these are rules set in agreement by 25 nations (soon to be 27) who are in this union. Turkish people have a lot to gain from the EU as well as the EU nationals from Turkey.

Answer 3

The answer is not a simple yes or no. The question is where does it all end. You have nations like Ukraine and Belarus which might want to join up as well claiming they are more european than Turkey. Then you might have certain politicians taking up the cause of Georgia and Moldova as well. As it is there are lots of ethnic Moldovans in Romania which is joining in 2007. What will define the EU is more important. If economic disparities have to force millions of people from their homes to other member states to earn better then it is not a union of equals anyway!
Let the present EU states create infrastructure in new states before letting them join in so they are not just treated as a source of cheap labour but as equals!

Answer 4

I would encourage Turkey's membership, but on ONE condition - that the UK leaves before they join.

Assuming that we don't leave, I strongly oppose it.

Their Human Rights record regarding the Kurds is appalling, as is their continued occupation of Northern Cyprus.

Combine that with the fact that they are an Islamic state and where do we get? Their culture is predominantly Eastern and their loyalties lie there.

What we should ask is "Why do they want to join?" Do they have an overwhelming desire to ADD to the rest of Europe's economies? Of course not - their sole incentive is to TAKE from the rest of Europe, and that means more taxes for YOU.

I'm not sure why I am even writing this - it is so obvious. Regrettably, so is something else: no matter what WE want, Turkey WILL join, and soon. Our democracy is totally flawed in that the will of the people is superseded by the will of the politicians.

Answer 5

They should take steps to improve the human rights of their own citizens first. It is also wrong that some countries see entry into the EU as a chance to get free handouts. The EU should be about us all working together to create a better world, not sitting back and expeecting other people to pay for you.

Answer 6

Yes, but only on Observer status. The EU is for European countries--any non-European countries joining should only be granted Observer status. As for Turkey's "human rights record", those that claim that they are tortured are most likely just begging for attention, & even if torture is done, it is done only against those who deserve it. The Kurds are guilty of rebellion & do not deserve the protection of Turkish or internat'l law.

Answer 7

Definately. This will prove an incentive to finally go through and reform their government and fix up their human rights abuses.

The EU needs a strong link to the middle east. Turkey could be that link.

Answer 8

Most of my family are non- Muslim Turkish Kurds, but the USA and the UK have lost the right to protest about Human Rights in view of Guantanamo, torture and rape in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Turkey still has a long way to go on this issue but the alternative doesn't bear thinking about. They have the second largest army in NATO, kindly supplied by other NATO States. If they are blocked from the EU they will turn to the East. And who could blame them?

Answer 9

that depends if you believe that turkey should first acknowledge that they mistreated the Armenians during WW2. as well you must also look at one main reason that the EU want Eastern European countries is because they are non-Muslims and are cheap labour.(many people from Northen Africa come to work in Europe). the Turks will be cheap labour but are Muslims. ( i have no hard feeling toward Muslims, but must of Europe does). they are also other factor one must look at, but i would like to see a Muslims nation in the EU.

Answer 10

I think they should, eventually. Think of the EU as the carrot and stick. Turkey isn't the worst, they are becoming quite secular in their thinking, give it time.