<p>Please state your stance and good reasons to support your belief. And if you say no, would you be for or against Russia's possible inclusion into the EU?</p>
<p>Turkey is Muslim and not in Europe, so no it doesn't deserve to be in EU.</p>
<p>"Turkey is Muslim". Oh man, you have NO idea what the history of Turkey has been like for the past ~50 years, do you?</p>
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Turkey is Muslim and not in Europe, so no it doesn't deserve to be in EU.
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<p>Turkey is mostly secular though there's some discrimination against non-Muslims. But if they become a completely secular state, what makes them different from secular European states? So what if they have a Muslim symbol on their flag? Greece has a Christian crucifix on their flag.</p>
<p>Wow this thread is going to be so full of ignorance I can't hardly wait. Thanks for giving us a taste of the enlightened comments to come, JadeLi.</p>
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Wow this thread is going to be so full of ignorance I can't hardly wait. Thanks for giving us a taste of the enlightened comments to come, JadeLi.
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<p>Exactly. I think a lot of people's narrow points of view will be exposed if they vehemently oppose Turkey's inclusion yet are in favour of Russia's.</p>
<p>Glad I'm not the only one who spoke up.</p>
<p>"Turkey is mostly secular though there's some discrimination against non-Muslims."</p>
<p>I recently read this article about a Turkish judge who ruled that a girl wasn't allowed to wear a burqa, even while off school grounds, and it raised quite an uproar from the muslim community...even I was taken aback at the ruling! :(</p>
<p>If its inclusion into the union would be benificial to the Turkish economy and the EU; then I don't see why it shouldn't be included. Geograghic location and dominant religions shouldn't be an important factor (of course it has to be in the vacinity of Europe; which it is). Besides, it's a secular country which makes it like the rest of Europe.</p>
<p>I defnitely think Turkey should go to the EU, for 2 main reasons. First of all, in the wake of 9/11, a growing schism has been developing between the West and the Middle East and even Islam. Turkey is a hybrid in this sense, since it is mostly secular yet still retains a proud Islamic heritage. I think including them would be a vote of confidence by the West that they are not against Islam or anything like that. Second of all, Turkey IS a growing economy in Europe and in the world. It's been making serious efforts to privatize since the 1980s, despite some recessions, and the government is slowly privatizing domains which it held control of, such as tobacco,alcohol, and even the telephone company. and it's tourism is blooming source of economy (31/100 of the best hotels in the world are in Turkey).</p>
<p>^^Really? That's really interesting I didn't know that.</p>
<p><a href="31/100%20of%20the%20best%20hotels%20in%20the%20world%20are%20in%20Turkey">quote</a>.
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lol I don't believe that at all. What's your source?</p>
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<p>Turkey should definitely not join the European Union. It's so poor compared to other EU countries, besides the newcomers. Turkey would benefit a lot more than the whole of Europe. Voting would definitely go in Muslim favor, so decisions would definitely change since they have a totally different culture and values. Turkey is barely even in Europe. European Turkey makes up of only 3% of the country's area. It's ridiculous that that European is even considering letting Turkey join. It would also expand the EU's borders to other Middle Eastern which would be a huge problem. Turkey doesn't even recognize Cyprus. It's human rights record is also horrendous. </p>
<p>Europe shouldn't even consider letting Turkey in. There's a lot of countries against Turkish entry as well. After all, current EU member states must have a unanymous decision to let another country join.</p>
<p>"...totally different culture and values."</p>
<p>Are you not aware of the existence of their secular government?</p>
<p>the 31/100 thing i got from Wikipedia, which was cited by travel agencies TUI AG and Thomas Cook. I don't know about the first one, but Thomas Hook is certainly a reputable name. yeah i was a bit skeptical at first too.</p>
<p>ok, here's my two cents.</p>
<p>i'm a complete supporter of free immigration, a global community, etc.</p>
<p>BUT, if turkey were to join the EU AT PRESENT TIME, there would be so many additional problems. it would allow any turkish citizen to immigrate into any EU member country. look at the riots in france right now. i live in germany, and i can tell you that there is a serious problem with increasing numbers of turkish immigrants and their problems finding jobs, not to mention severe cultural tensions. i of course have absolutely nothing against the turks, in fact there are quite a few at my international school, but the idea of them joining is somewhat idealistic at present time.</p>
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Voting would definitely go in Muslim favor, so decisions would definitely change since they have a totally different culture and values.
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<p>Totally different culture and values? This reeks of Orientalism to me. Narrow-minded imperialists not wanted here; go back to the 19th century.</p>
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BUT, if turkey were to join the EU AT PRESENT TIME, there would be so many additional problems. it would allow any turkish citizen to immigrate into any EU member country. look at the riots in france right now. i live in germany, and i can tell you that there is a serious problem with increasing numbers of turkish immigrants and their problems finding jobs, not to mention severe cultural tensions. i of course have absolutely nothing against the turks, in fact there are quite a few at my international school, but the idea of them joining is somewhat idealistic at present time.
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<p>That's a good point, but perhaps letting Turkey join the EU could be used as a sign of goodwill towards Europe to the Islamic world (a world they have cheated and screwed over these past couple of centuries). It may prove to them that Europe is not a Christian club that is diametrically opposed to all things Muslim. </p>
<p>From a historical perspective, Turkey has been very much involved in European affairs for many centuries. Mehmet II conquered Constantinople, one of the most important cities in Europe, and Suleiman conquered all the European lands right up to the gates of Vienna. Also, Europeans played a big part in the Ottoman government, with Christian "slaves" rising to high administrative posts. The Ottomans/Turks were not some random invading force that came and went within a generation; they staked their claim and influenced affairs for a very long time. Turkey's as much a part of Europe as Russia is (so there's some room for debate, as some people consider Russia to be its own "Orthodox" entity).</p>
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Turkey's as much a part of Europe as Russia
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<p>Uhh... wrong. Turkey is 3% is Europe. Russia is much more European.</p>
<p>I'm not hot on the idea of the European Union in the first place, so I'll say no. The less countries involved in this wrong-headed endeavor, the better.</p>
<p>The EU's been one of the best AND worst things to happen to Europe, Fides, but I'd like to hear your criticisms. </p>
<p>Turkey needs to undertake many reforms (economic, so don't accuse me of Orientalism or other rubbish) before I think it should definitely be part of the EU.</p>
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Uhh... wrong. Turkey is 3% is Europe. Russia is much more European.
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<p>How so? Does Russia have much of a democratic past? Was Russia part of the Renaissance? Since when has Russia been Westernized? What percentage of Russia actually lies on the Asian continent?</p>