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'CHRISTIAN TURKEY WOULD BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY BY EU'
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
May 10 2006
(Murat Sogangoz/JTW/Ankara) According to Zaman, Mario Soares, 82,
having long served in Portuguese politics as the country's prime
minister and president, claimed if Turkey were a Christian country,
it would have experienced a different process for its European Union
membership process.
He added that Turkey has some internal problems, but it may be a
member of the EU if it fulfils the EU norms and standards. Soares
also expressed its view that he favored Turkey's accession to the EU
as soon as possible.
This latest statement of Soares seems to bolster the evidences about
religion based objections against Turkey's EU membership. Some policy
quarters in Europe give support to these religion based objections.
But experts say that Turkey's accession to the EU will add much more
to Europe than the costs of it. As an economic giant, the EU is not
able to exert political influence parallel with its economic might.
The latest energy crises with Russia also illustrated the vitality
of Turkey for Europe.
European politicians are expected see benefits of Turkey's membership
and to prepare their societies for future membership of Turkey. By
trying to use the Cyprus and Armenian issues as leverage against
Turkey during its accession process, Europe will only strengthen the
ultra-nationalist camp in Turkey. It is also interesting that some
European figures complain from the rise nationalism in Turkey.
While Turkey has the responsibility of bringing its politics and
economy in line with EU standards, the EU leaders also have the
responsibility of preparing their peoples to the future membership
of Turkey which includes cutting supports to so-called Armenian
genocide laws.
Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
May 10 2006
(Murat Sogangoz/JTW/Ankara) According to Zaman, Mario Soares, 82,
having long served in Portuguese politics as the country's prime
minister and president, claimed if Turkey were a Christian country,
it would have experienced a different process for its European Union
membership process.
He added that Turkey has some internal problems, but it may be a
member of the EU if it fulfils the EU norms and standards. Soares
also expressed its view that he favored Turkey's accession to the EU
as soon as possible.
This latest statement of Soares seems to bolster the evidences about
religion based objections against Turkey's EU membership. Some policy
quarters in Europe give support to these religion based objections.
But experts say that Turkey's accession to the EU will add much more
to Europe than the costs of it. As an economic giant, the EU is not
able to exert political influence parallel with its economic might.
The latest energy crises with Russia also illustrated the vitality
of Turkey for Europe.
European politicians are expected see benefits of Turkey's membership
and to prepare their societies for future membership of Turkey. By
trying to use the Cyprus and Armenian issues as leverage against
Turkey during its accession process, Europe will only strengthen the
ultra-nationalist camp in Turkey. It is also interesting that some
European figures complain from the rise nationalism in Turkey.
While Turkey has the responsibility of bringing its politics and
economy in line with EU standards, the EU leaders also have the
responsibility of preparing their peoples to the future membership
of Turkey which includes cutting supports to so-called Armenian
genocide laws.