Is Turkey a part of Europe? Sarkozy says not.?

Question

I just read Sarkozy's interview with the International Herald Tribune. He based his ideas on geographical context.

I want honest ideas, please. If, geographically speaking, Southern Cyprus is considered European, how come Turkey is considered Asian?

In cultural context, if Greece, which was part of the same empire that Turkey was, is considered European, how come Turkey is considered not?

In religious context, if Muslims, Jews, atheists and agnostics living in "Christian" Europe are considered European, how come Turkey's Muslims, Jews, Christians, atheists and agnostics are considered not European?

Answer 1

Europe means nothing in geographical terms, since it is a part of the overall Eurasian continent. Its frontier with Asia is purelly arbitrary in geological terms. Your remarks about Cyprus are perfectly valid in my opinion.

The problem is located with an ill-defined yet pervading notion of a cultural entity called "Europe" based on history, ethnicities and a great deal of prejudices.

The hidden agenda between some Europeans, among them Sarkozy, and Turkey is the open recognition of the Armenian genocide, back in 1915. Since many Armenians had to flee and emigrate in Europe and the US at that time, and some of them have built abroad close-knit communities, it is quite understandable that they lobby European Governments to demand this recognition as a preliminary to discussions with Turkey if they want to get their ticket for entering the European Union.

On their side, Turks are a proud people who do not want to be forced in recognizing the genocide, without an independent judgment about what happened a that time (1915).

Once this matter has been settled once and for all, I believe Turkey will get a fair treatment in negotiationg its coming into the EU.

Answer 2

The Republic of Turkey is mostly in Asia, but has a part in Europe.

See the map at the following website:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Europe_location_TUR2.png

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Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye), officially the Republic of Turkey (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti (help·info)), is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in southwestern Asia and the Balkan region of southeastern Europe.

Answer 3

Merhaba bende turkum... The reason we are not in Europe is partly due to Turkey being a pre-dominantly Muslim country, the other part lies in our history, we used to own their land (ottoman empire), think about it how would you feel if that happened to you?

Answer 4

I say NO.