[Umit]

Turkey Got Green Light From European Union


Turkey would like to join the EU. Please vote...


And, what do you think?

[**claire**]

This is really Interesting!!!

Here in England there was a Political programe on sunday all about Turkey & the EU.

They had people from various European countries & opinions on there putting there points to & for Turkey Joining.

There were some very good points put across (as well as some very bad ones!!!)

from the opinion i got from the programme, Britain would Like Turkey to join the EU.

one of the points against Turkey were that as such a large country, you would become one of the strongest countries (France & Germany did not like this)

I personnally think that Turkey is a wonderful country & if you joined the EU, the EU would try to change you. (They have already forced a lot of changes within the UK) but i also think that as far as trading & tourism goes, it would be a benefit for Turkey to join.

[Umit]

Hmm, thanks Claire, do you think that EU is useful for the UK?

[**claire**]

There are plus sides, like the trading etc.. but it seems that ever since we have joined the EU, the cost of living has risen dramatically!!

everything has risen, the cost of property has gone sky high, local taxes, car tax, food costs, everything!!

Wages have risen, the EU has a set minimum wage that must be met by all employers to keep earning throughout the EU on a par.

this is obviously nice to earn more, but the wage increase doesnt cover the increase in cost of living and alot of peopel are really struggling to afford to live.

this may have happened if we didnt join the EU anyway, i guess we will never know.

I think the main people to benefit are the businesses ...especailly traders, as it is so much easier for them to buy & sell in the EU than it was previously.

I don't like how the EU has a control over our Government though. I think many things have been passed by the government that the british people would not have voted in.

[bEaCh BoY]

Originally Posted by Kusadasi-Guy

Turkey would like to join the EU. Please vote...


And, what do you think?

Turkey should join EU.. I think it will have many benefits as Claire said..
K-guy, Do you know what is the closest date that Turkey can join EU??
It should take many years to prepare something for that..

[Umit]

as far as i know that the joining date is 2015.

and Claire, Germans says the same and thats why i am not sure joining the EU.

[bEaCh BoY]

Originally Posted by Kusadasi-Guy

as far as i know that the joining date is 2015.

and Claire, Germans says the same and thats why i am not sure joining the EU.

PHEW.. That's a long time.. I don't think EU would last that long.. Or there may be another world war before that*knocks on wood*.. so that's a looong time..

[Damn_Fine_Black_Girl]

Absoutely they should join the EU. They only reason why they arent now is bcause they r a islamic country.
It's okay to take poor eastern europe countrys in the Eu, and will probally make a mess with the economie (of course we will pay for them ) but it's not all right to talke in a islamic country just bcause their religion... It's rediculess.
And a shame so many people think that Turkey r dangerous bcause they r muslims! But that just shows how ignorante some people r

[Sootjuh]

Hmzz I find this very difficult topic Mr Kus...But i will try and express what i think about it.

Pro:
* Turkey joining the EU is sort of a reward for the example the country sets by being the only islamic country that has separted 'church' and 'state'.

* Turkey joining will hopefully lead to lesser tension in the multi-cultural community of Western-Europe. Turkish natives living in Western-Europe will see the fact that their country joins the EU as proof that they themselves are not second rate citiziens.

* By their membership, i feel the EU will be forced to reform the municipal agriculture policy, which should be a blessing for all consumers, tax payers and even third world countries.

Con:

* Does Turkey have strong intitutions/policies for an effective controle over budget and reduction of inflation? I believe Turkey agreed to something but the Central Bank is not independent yet. (i'm not sure on this)

* Human rights issues; I feel Turkey should meet the criteria which were once made up in Copenhagen. Securing of democracy and protection of minorities amongst others.

General
At the moment there is a big focus on the aldulterers issues, and ofcourse the whole muslim fear thing that's going on (thank you George W!).
The whole muslim thing i think is bull-bok but i read in the newspaper that Erdogan had recently suggested that students from deep religious schools were to be taken in by regular universities.

This I think is scary...as these sort of communities are proven to be a feeding ground for religious fundamentalists. The feeling is that this could imply that Erdogan would like to undo the separation between 'church' and 'state' when Turkey is taken in by the EU. But than again this is the fear of people speaking.

Personally I don't think the people of Europe are ready yet for Turkey to join, because they fear that their country will be flooded with Turkish people looking for the (lower income) jobs.

I think we can say that in Holland this is a big issue, a lot of Eastern European people have come lately and perform jobs that Dutch people also realy need right now (but the foreign people will do the same job for less money..so that's easy decision-making for bosses). As budgets are being cut and social securities and pensions are the areas that are suffering, people rather not have foreigners comming, because then their own future is at risk.

As for the Turkish people in holland...I can't speak for them, maybe BabyCool can, but i feel there still is a lot of hostillity against them, and other foreigners for that matter, all due to non-intergration [this is ofcourse a generalisation, please forgive me] and difference in culture. So for turkish people who want to move to Holland I think they have a hard time. They should realy consider what is expected of them in the community as it is today. And must accept that daily life and values are miles from what they are used to in their home country.

Overall...economicly there are a lot of pro's i think and negotiations will proceed and Turkey will join.

Pfoei...this turned in to quite a long story. If somebody feels offended, sorry don't take it personal.

[jeanke]

turkey is a young country and has a big labor force...
this is a big chance to be a dynamic europe