Constituted in the beginning by only 6 members, the European Unions has not ceased expanding across the territory surrounding the countries that initially founded it, accomplishing the unification of a continent that for a while was separated as a result of political and military actions. Nonetheless, we cannot say yet that every and each one of the countries of the European continent are together thanks to a vote of union, nor we can say that they are all represented by the image of this organism that is the European Union. Despite the fact that some countries have been left out from the community, either because of their own will or because they have not received the permission to enter, the European Union maintains an enlargement policy that hopes that, as years go by, more countries are added to enrich this intended integration.
Event though, it is clear that as more members join, more challenges and difficulties will make their appearance, and they will complicate the decisions and frustrate the objectives of the European Union. Taking these risks into consideration, the European Union has implemented a series of requirements that have to be met by the candidates before they proceed into the Union. Some of the criteria expect that the candidate:
- Is a democracy
- Respects humans rights
- Protects and respects minorities
- Has a functioning market economy and that the country is able to overcome any kind of difficulties that may emerge in the economic area.
- Assumes responsibility and fulfils its obligations as a member once he is accepted.
- Is, needless to say, willing to continue and cooperates for the well-being and development of the European Union.
Currently, there are three countries that are considered as candidates: Croatia, Turkey, and the Former Yugoslav State of Macedonia. Turkey is, perhaps, the country who has caused more controversy after its request to become part of the European Union, and after its acceptance as a candidate in 1999. It is easy to build up debates concerning the acceptance or the rejection of Turkey. Just go into Youtube, search for a video related to Turkey, and you will see hundreds of comments that mention its accession. Opinions find their way through and even mini wars are started among people all around the world who differ and turn this theme upside down with the purpose of finding a conclusion. Outside the virtual world that serves as a mirror of a reality in which diplomats and citizens hesitate, a number of studies are being opened in order to evaluate Turkey’s petition, the consequences and its capability for integrating the European Union.
I believe that this indecision and these doubts are not just an exaggeration. They all come out because there are many aspects that have to be considered before determining the Turkey-EU situation, which could end benefiting the European Union or damaging it, in some sense.
As I read some web pages, I found out some of the most noticeable aspects that people tend to argue about, concerning the access of Turkey into the EU:
1. Geography
This is one of the most used arguments, especially by those who want to immediately silence every person in favour of Turkey’s acceptance into the EU. For us, it is easy to know which countries belong to the American continent, because there are oceans all around, separating us from the world. But to whom does Turkey belong: Europe or Asia? There are people who say it belongs entirely to Asia. Others claim that a part is in the European Continent and the rest is located in Asia. If Turkey were Asian, it would be “easy” to end this debate (“if it is not European, why should it be included within the EUROPEAN Union?”). But when people say that Turkey is divided between two continents, what do we do then? It would be ridiculous to accept only one small piece of the country (if we were still using the same argument of acceptance if Turkey = European).
At the same time, there is another notorious point: its proximity to the Middle East. Some people think this would be a threat to the EU’s security and stability, as for them Turkey will serve as an entrance for the “problematic nations”, like Iran and Iraq. On the other side, there are people who think Turkey would carry out an important and useful role regarding the European-Asian relations, working as an intermediary to “soften” and making negotiations smoother with the Middle East.
2. Population
Turkey has an estimated population of 76 000 000 people (according to CIA’s World Factbook). If Turkey entered the European Union, it would easily become on of the most populated countries, behind Germany. To this we can add the fact that Turkey has a high quantity of young people that would serve a working force, which will at once help “resolve” the problem of the aging population in Europe. Also Turkey has a higher birth rate in comparison: 18.66 births/1,000 population against 9.9 births/1,000 population from the EU. Turkey could then bring workers that would generate money to pay for the pensions, but it would as well bring more responsibilities towards a bigger population.
3. Religion
(Mainly) Islam vs. Christians
I think I have nothing further to say in this point but that. Oh, no, wait. I believe this should not be a problem at all, considering the EU is based in respect and freedom (which includes freedom to choose your religion), and that all of its members should agree with these values, am I not right?
4. Human Rights
The EU thinks Turkey needs to improve in this area and guarantee the authentic respect of human rights inside the country, by changing, for example, the violence against women. There is also some old history involved, since in the 1900’s there was a campaign (taken as “genocide”) to eliminate the Armenian population in Turkey… or the Ottoman Empire, as it was known then. However, Turkey has not accepted is responsibility, which is, in a certain way, a refusal to accept its not-so-straight position on the subject of human rights.
5. Energy
Pipelines across Turkey supply Europe with oil and gas.
6. Economy
Even though Turkey has experienced an economic growth, it is still too “poor” for joining the European Union. Some argue that is adherence would dry out the EU’s resources and that Turkey would need some help for improving its economy, which would leave the poorest countries that are already members of the EU without the necessary attention and support.
Turkey is already a trade partner for the European Union. They even share a customs union since 1995. As far as it goes, Turkey has done various reforms to “please” the EU’s wishes and obviously for Turkey’s own sake and prosperity (a new penal code, prohibition of death penalty and torture, and has given rights to minorities), in order to be honestly considered as a candidate. On of the web pages I read, the author closed its article with a quote I would also like to use to end this post: "We are talking a lot about Turkey's readiness, but really it's the readiness of the EU that we need to be talking about, the readiness of Europe to embrace Turkey in the way they expect to be embraced." (Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg, German politician). It really leaves you thinking about who is the most unprepared: the EU or Turkey? Because Turkey can continue changing every law to make them match the European Union’s desires, but no one can really assure that they will be accepted in, at least on a near future.
Mucha, mucha información sobre este tema:
http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/candidate-countries/turkey/index_en.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3682828.stm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/6223612/Will-Turkeys-EU-membership-dream-come-true.html
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/world/04-turkey-shows-its-clout-qs-06
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1920882,00.html
http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/leaders-urged-unblock-turkey-eu-bid/article-185202
http://www.cfr.org/publication/8939/turkeys_eu_bid.html#p1
http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,333126,00.html
http://www.europesworld.org/NewEnglish/Home/Article/tabid/191/ArticleType/ArticleView/ArticleID/21291/Default.aspx
http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/46934,features,pros-and-cons-turkey-becoming-a-member-of-the-eu
http://www3.larioja.org/oficina_bruselas/pdf/pros_contras_turquia.doc
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/tu.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ee.html
