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Interesting to hear the comments about Cyprus and how Turkey is seen as the aggressor.
They INVADED , they were condemned as the AGGRESSOR , they renewed the fighting during the supposed ceasefire , they unillaterally declared the independance of the North , no one recognised this turkish claim , so that is why they are seen as the aggressor .
On the mark as usual, Mouzafphaerre (you should break out of your self-imposed Backroom exile more often). This whole enlargement debate is not about who we were or who we are, but about who we want to be. I think the Turkish Prime Minister hit the right chord when he called on the EU not to remain a ' Christian Club'.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mouzafphaerre
I vote 'Yes, provided that...'
In order to become a full-fledged member Turkey will have to clean up its act by fighting corruption, subduing the military, ending prisoner abuse, etcetera - and the EU should end its obsession with geographical and religious 'borders' and find ways to help Turkey sustain its fast economic growth and political progress.
:bow:
'Yes'
There are things that need sorting out, many already mentioned here: the power of the military, corruption, Europeans coming to terms with Islam as something that can benefit as well as cause trouble, and the like. These are things that the EU can help with. Sure, Turkey needs to do things to be considered a full-fledged member of the EU, but the responsibility to adapt does not lay exclusively across the Bosphorus. Turkey has a lot to give to Europe, both culturally and economically, and the EU can help Turkey in similar ways.
As to whether Turkey can be considered should be let into the EU on a cultural-geographic basis, does this really matter? As Adrian stated so well it's not about what Europe is, but what it can become. Without change the EU merely becomes a fixed group, rather like an inbred family.
Yes, if only because of the fact that if not even that can be sorted out it doesn't bode well for future issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tribesman
That sounds like Iran a few years back.Quote:
Originally Posted by Divinus Arma