In the aftermath of the enlargement of the EU and the adoption of the Lisbon treaty, Turkey's adhesion to the European Union is a question which has often arisen since the formal accession negotiations began in 2005. Turkey first applied for associate membership of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1959, and finally signed the Agreement creating an association between The Republic of Turkey and the EEC on September 12nd, 1963.
The question of Turkey's adhesion to the EU is very controversial because of many issues such as the economic situation of Turkey, the issue of Cyprus, the geographical position of Turkey, and its Muslim population, beside. Nevertheless, the European Union is based on a political community, which means that geographical or cultural differences should not be a problem for Turkey's adhesion, all the more so that this adhesion presents advantages for the both, the EU, and for Turkey.
So, why does Turkey presents such an issue concerning its place in the EU?
In order to understand better why this question of adhesion is so controversial, we will expose the different arguments in favour or against Turkish membership of the European Union, considering the position of the EU.
[...] But what remains the most surprising is the fact that this adhesion for Turkish membership to the EU is most favourable in some of “European countries” than is Turkey. Actually, it seems that only 55% of Turkish citizens are favourable, and this is what we will try to explain in the second part of this presentation. Conclusion In a nutshell, we can observe that Turkey and the EU don't really have the same vision of their future and seem more and more sceptic to work together. [...]
[...] Admitting Turkey into the European Union would in a certain way mean giving the opportunity for terrorists to easier access the EU. Moreover, Turkey's relations with Iran are worsening day by day and the stability of Iraq does not seem on the agenda. e. The Maastricht convergence criteria and the economic situation of Turkey Then, and this most result from institutional visions, the EU argued that Turkey didn't respond to Maastricht convergence criteria, but this seems to have well evolved, so it does not remain the current problem, even if Turkey is still viewed as a poor and dependant country, which is a problem in an economic concurrent space. [...]
[...] The argument of religion We have to relate this fact with an over argument from the EU against Turkish membership: according to the UE, one of the main dividing line appears to be religion: Turkey is not considered as culturally “European”, and even if it is a secular country, it is 99,8% Muslim, whereas the EU has been called the “Christian Club.” Turkey and Europe do not share the same culture, and the differences of religion provoke disagreements about our respective ways of life. [...]
[...] Because if the EU exposes different arguments concerning Turkish membership to the EU, it seems that the true question is the one of its future. In what direction the EU wants to go and how it wants to determine itself? The image that the EU wants to give to the world is controversial. In fact, it seems that it would accept Turkish adhesion if this country changes many things, but not just economic or political criteria. The issue seems more the one of the perception of Other”; how Turkey considers the EU and what is the vision of Turkey from the EU. [...]
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