Turkey to join the EU?

[holidaysong]

What would people think about Turkey joining the EU? Anyone know if they are going to be made to pull out of Cyprus before they can join? I think they should be and would be surprised and angered if they got away with less than a complete withdrawal..

[Poor Student]

I'm very against expanding the EU right now. Plenty of the countries in the last acession were not up to it in my opinion and I think Turkey are far from up to standard. I'm also nervous about a large EU border lying beside Syria, Iraq and Iran.

[thejollyrodger]

im not really in favour because I dont want the EU to become a world power

[Plastic Paddy]

I'm all in favour and not just for the additional labour pool it will provide to drive the EU's economy when I'm an old man. Although a secular state, Turkey's population is mainly Muslim and so Turkey is in an ideal position to form a bridgehead between Christian Europe and Islamic near-Asia. That said, the Turkish authorities do have a number of issues to address; not least human rights with the Kurds and in Cyprus. That's why accession is rightly being talked about as a longer-term ambition.

PP

[liam88]

I'm all in favour and not just for the additional labour pool it will provide to drive the EU's economy when I'm an old man.

When?




Sorry mate couldn't resist!

[Plastic Paddy]

Don't you start. I'm 34 this Friday and starting to feel the pace. For the first time this year (and despite a potentially top night in town as an alternative) I won't be out clubbing - it's just dinner with Mrs PP and friends for me. Like the early shades of autumn, the first stages of middle-age are now starting to kick in.

PP

[Poor Student]

Although a secular state, Turkey's population is mainly Muslim and so Turkey is in an ideal position to form a bridgehead between Christian Europe and Islamic near-Asia.

I've heard this rhetoric banded about but what does it mean in practice? I can only see this actually heightening tensions between Europe and the Middle East with no buffer zone between them.

[liam88]

Don't you start. I'm 34 this Friday and starting to feel the pace. For the first time this year (and despite a potentially top night in town as an alternative) I won't be out clubbing - it's just dinner with Mrs PP and friends for me. Like the early shades of autumn, the first stages of middle-age are now starting to kick in.

PP

Hey mate don't worry yaself! 34!! Ya met my grandad! He's still playing hurling, soccer American football with me and my mates over the rec, partying till all hours after footie matches, all night party in Cobh on new years followed by another all nighter for my Uncle and Aunts 50th anniversary the next day, and he came to FLogging Molly and the Saw Docters! Age is what you make it.

[Macy]

I'd be against it until they pull out of Cyprus and sort out their human rights record, prison system, juducial system etc etc.

Think the religion thing is over played by both sides of the arguement.

[finlma]

I think there should be a waiting period of at least 5 years so that they can prove that they are dealing with all the human rights issues.

I do think that Croatia should be allowed join.

[BobbySands]

Plenty of turkeys in the eu already. One more shouldn't make a difference.

[pete]

I think its a good idea for Turkey to join especially with the islamic tensions. Turkey being a 99% Muslim secular state would be perfect example of how West & Islam can coexist. Seems they've improved a lot with regards removing military influence on the state as well as rights for the Kurds in recent years. I think its only fair that Turkey is given a list of items they need to do before allowed join - its unfair to force them change internal affairs with no guarantee of entry to the EU.

I don't know enough about the Cyprus issue to comment on who is right. I doubt it would be a blocking point when comes to the crunch.

[Baker]

From todays Examiner:

"The process is expected to take at least 10 years and even then Turkey will never qualify for the generous farm payments, structural funds or even free movement of its workers enjoyed by current EU members.

The way was cleared for Croatia’s membership negotiations to begin after it was confirmed that the country was cooperating with the UN chief war crimes prosecutor, Carla del Ponte."

[pete]

The way was cleared for Croatia’s membership negotiations to begin after it was confirmed that the country was cooperating with the UN chief war crimes prosecutor, Carla del Ponte."

Don't know if Croatia should be allowed in as wasn't too long ago they fought a dirty war.

[Baker]

Don't know if Croatia should be allowed in as wasn't too long ago they fought a dirty war.

I think the main reason talks hadnt started with them yet was because they hadnt been cooperating with the war crimes investigators. I heard there was one guy in particular (cant remember his name) who they had been hiding but that he had decided himself that he should face the music "for the good of the country."

They are expected to be members by 2010.

[finlma]

Don't know if Croatia should be allowed in as wasn't too long ago they fought a dirty war.

Time to forgive and forget, they've moved on and are fully co-operating with the tribunal. Didn't Germany fight a dirty war in the recent past too.

Croatia is a fantastic country and the people are warm and friently and trying to forget the past. I think they deserve to be let into the EU. I've been to Croatia a few times and I love the place. Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

[Poor Student]

I think the main reason talks hadnt started with them yet was because they hadnt been cooperating with the war crimes investigators. I heard there was one guy in particular (cant remember his name) who they had been hiding but that he had decided himself that he should face the music "for the good of the country."

They are expected to be members by 2010.

The lad who they are still looking for is General Ante Gotovina who is still looked upon as a hero by many there. Croatia also adopt a quite irredentism policy against Slovenia and have attempted to lock them into their small bay with no access to the sea. I don't think talks with them should begin until they sort this out. From what I've seen on Croatian TV people value Gotovina more than they do EU membership.

[Macy]

Didn't realise Croatia were still claiming Istria (sp?). When we were there it did seem to me that the people considered themselves Istrian rather than Solvenian, Croatian or Italian....

[sadloserkid]

I'd be against it until they pull out of Cyprus and sort out their human rights record, prison system, juducial system etc etc.

Bingo. Said it for me.

[Poor Student]

Didn't realise Croatia were still claiming Istria (sp?). When we were there it did seem to me that the people considered themselves Istrian rather than Solvenian, Croatian or Italian....

Italy claims it, I know that for sure. Some people in Primorje (the Southern region of Slovenia) speak Italian as their native tongue and in the very South there are dual languages signs like in Ireland.