[**claire**]

Interesting article!!

Is Turkey ready to join the EU? As the debate rages on, there is only one constant — the appalling pan-European ignorance about the country and its history. Begin with the constant references to Turkey as a moderate Muslim state. It has, in fact, been a secular state for more than 80 years.

Continue with the other favorite line — that Turkey has no place in a “Christian club.” Not only is this a slight to the 15 million European Muslims already living in the EU — it ignores Turkey’s long service in that other Christian club, NATO

Read the full article here

[Mella]

Very interesting article to read, Cheers Kez. xx

[Hephaestion]

Nice change of angle. Thanks for the link Claire.

[Shannon]

Cool Article Claire, thanks for that

[PropertyKsd]

Maybe its a bit negative but i personely dont believe that EU will ever accept Turkey as an equal member

I allways think that Turkey may add lots of power to EU but..in some way Turkey could never explain itself to Europe.There are many people in Europe who thinks alot different about Turkey then it is.

And i am trying explain again and again .. allover again .. i dont give up

[xStakYx]

Thanx Claire,that was intersting to read.

[Sarah05]

wow very interesting....makes you think eh?? i think they should just get on with it and stop making endless excuses

[deus2002]

Originally Posted by Sarah05

wow very interesting....makes you think eh?? i think they should just get on with it and stop making endless excuses

I agree...well said!!!
Lisa

[Marlyn]

At the end of the day i dont think the Turkish people or the Europeans will have any real choice as i see it some powers that be think Turkey needs to progress and compete on the world stage to provide for its citizens or it will fall behind in economic terms in this day and age all countries need partners for trading and security. But i do believe Turkey should be very carful almost all European countries are only interested it what Europe can do for them not what working together can achieve for all. You only have to look at France yesterday they don’t mind giving in to fairness as long as it dose not cost them anything, (the uk are giving up 1 billon pounds france are happy to sit down and talk about cuts to them at some time in the future) would you pay for something you might get at some time in the future knowing full well if you get what you paid for it would cause farmers strikes, blockades and bring down a government thats what will happen in france if they ever give up farmers subsidies.

Turkey needs to have a very strong leader and friends in other countries before joining europe, please take a lesson from the UK France and Germany will walk all over Turkey if you joined now, Turkey has good leaders, a wealth of culture and history, a gate way to the middle east, a realisation that the only way forward is with change. There are other options to Europe but even if Europe is the right way Take your time watch, listen and learn and keep your enemies very close, Don’t be pushed Jump when its right for Turkey not Europe.

Remember USA want Turkey in Europe, Europe need Turkey in Europe but the Big question is dose TURKEY WANT OR NEED TO BE IN EUROPE.

As you might have guessed im a euro sceptic and why because what is happening is exactly what we fought the last world war to stop, then a lot of French were happy to go along with a united europe, the Italians fought for a united europe, , these countries alined with germany again could force almost any policy they wanted on the rest of europe, Democracy no, Dictatorship very close

Right finished ranting

[ben]

The swiss are not in Europe but doing very nicely all the same!