Turkey and the EU

Jupiler

Europe may indeed be hard to define, but I think we have to draw the line somewhere, I mean New-Zealand is more European culturally than Turkey... If you go to Istanbul or some other big cities it looks quite good but a very large part of the country is very much behind our standards, culturally and economically. I`m not a expert but I don`t think Portugal is way that bad. What about the way they treat the Kurds for instants?

I know Greece and Spain are very recent democracies but they`ve come a far way since the early eighties...I was in Spain in `82 as a child and it was like Albania now I suppose. So they´ve come a far way. I think you´ll have a hard time finding Franco supporters nowadays.

I don´t know about you, but I think Scandinavia is definitly a part of Europe...well not Lapland and Groenland

Tchuss!

fixit

Culturally yes, but geographically I'm not sure. It's more like...russia.

Why not Lappland?

MountainPro

No problems, no disrespect taken,

i just thought that a country like Turkey would benefit from being in the EU rather than the EU benefiting from Turkeys membership. It could give us a chance to take them under our wing, so to speak and try and reduce corruption and human rights abuses...

i tend to give the benefit of the doubt a little too much,

i am just too soft thats my problem

Ssushi

It seems to me to be a politically dangerous to let 62 million muslims into the EU which is predominently Catholic. There are views which we have that do not match muslim views, this can be seen at this moment in Holland (deaths of Pim Fortain and Van Gogh). Both linked to these chaps airing their views about the Muslim community in Holland.

Pim - Its wrong to let people into our country who view asnd treat women and gays as second class citizens - he was right to say this.
Van Gogh - Produced a film written by a Moslim regarding their treatment of their women.

It's hard for us to implement equality amoungst ourselves without adding huge amounts of people (voters) into the system who do not believe the same things as us.

Plus, someone pointed out the 10 new countries and the financial affects, this is also true; look at the GDP per head of population for them - very low indeed, we need some time to let this settle down.

Jupiler

I agree!

But for the record: Pim Fortuyn wasn't killed by a muslim, but by a native Dutchmen. Some extremist vegetarian, animal-liberation nutcase, they still don't know why...

Basically what Fortuyn said was that they already had enough problems with their immigrant/muslim population and that they had to get them integrated into their society first before even thinking about allowing new immigrants. I think he was right on that.

Ssushi

Absolutely! You cant shoot yourself in your own foot just to be politically correct - there are practicalities involved which are important for current citizens and future ones...

davidmc

I would stipulate that they would be acepted, on a interim basis, dependant upon their resolving their animosities w/ the Kurdish people. They are a secular gov't but, aren't they referred to as "Asia Minor" & thus, not part of the european continent.

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I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
George Carlin
US comedian and actor (1937 - )

Ssushi

Isn't it the 'Gateway to Asia'?

Did you see on the news how Greece basically lied about their budget deficit to get in? Apparently other countries did also! France and germany have both failed (I believe) to stay below the 3% that THEY proposed over the last few years... can't think that adding Turkey would help us atm.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4012869.stm

PS Ask yourself this: Why does Russia get to play in the Euro Footy?

davidmc

Turkey would be a "feather in the cap" of The EU if they were able to abide by the EU's requirements. Not only are they a bridge to the East-geographically, they would be an example to other muslim countries that it is possible to co-exist. What am i saying, add religion to any equation & all you get is a pissing contest. Case in point Israel/Palestine. As long as people are making decisions based on mythology as opposed to rationality, we are doomed to failure. Besides, Anne Coulter "fan's" would advocate killing all of Turkey's leaders & converting the rest to christianity. That's (organized)religion speaking for 'ya. Incidentally she was a vehement Bush supporter. Go figure. This started out as a rational well thought out post then i remembered what we're dealing w/ here (Christians/Muslims). We, the rationalist thinker's, should take the whole 'lot (the aforementioned two groups) & fire 'em off, in rocket ships, to mar's. There, I feel better now.

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I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
George Carlin
US comedian and actor (1937 - )

FredC

Rather odd, I always thought that Mars was the god of war. Now which ones are for the ticket to ride?

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The media is a self perpetuating publicity stunt.

Ottis

i think it's a bad idea about turkey joining EU. it would not benefit EU much, just more immigrant workers where they are not needed at the moment. Turkey is not "European" enough yet. maybe in a few generations but surely not now. and about that comment that baltic states are not 'europe-like' i have to say this: those 3 countries are realy civilized, think like europeans and are not 'russian' as some people think around here.

and what's wrong with russia anyway? it's not like they are an enemy of the west anymore. it was 20 years ago that they were but not anymore right?

FredC

Sorry Dickhead. Completely wrong on all aspects. More immigrant workers are needed because our lot aren't breeding. On the other hand the 'Gast Arbeiten' , which were both Greek and Turkish of origin contributed to the German economy. In Germany, they are considered to be equals in social terms. Do do some considered appraisals before you put your foot in the shit.

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The media is a self perpetuating publicity stunt.

Ottis

no need to be rude is there? are you 12 or something? i wonder why is it that i see all the news reports on unemployment rates and all.
maybe they all helped germany in 17 th century but today i think they only harm the economy.

I have a right to my own opinion so don't go around calling people names and all thanks

FredC

No dimwit there is no need to be rude, I'm 61. Rode and lived and worked there. Speak four of their languages, and know nothing about 17th century history. The Turks and Greeks were the industrial labour recently, they helped the economy, and it wasn't until the assimilation of East Germany that cost became a Governmental financial issue. Keep your own opinion, it's totally flawed.

__________________
The media is a self perpetuating publicity stunt.