For the last couple of weeks, the relationship between Turkey and the European Union has been tense over Turkey?s proposed European Union (EU) membership. The Pope?s visit to Turkey seemed to both ease certain religious tensions between East and West and lend support to Turkey?s suitability for EU membership , but the roadblock of Cyprus has been casting a dark shadow over membership ascension talks. Prior to the EU summit, ministers recommended a suspension of eight out of the 35 subject areas in ascension talks because Turkey refused to open its ports to Cyprus, prohibiting all EU states from access to EU ports and discriminating against a member state, namely Cyprus. Turkey believes that Cyprus access should not be part of EU membership discussions because the EU has an embargo against Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus.
Turkey, however, initially refused to open its ports to Cyprus without something in return. After a verbal offer to open up two ports was dismissed, the EU voted to suspend talks. Interestingly, the Turkish Army was not consulted about this offer, perhaps indicating that the Turkish government is at odds with how to deal with the situation. EU members variously seem to oppose Turkey EU membership on any grounds versus those who see Turkish membership as more positive. The anti-Turkey bloc is made up of France , Germany and Greece ; while the United Kingdom leads the pro-Turkey bloc. As perhaps a concession to Turkey, the EU has agreed to revisit the embargo issue on northern Cyprus in January possibly to ease some restrictions.
Thus, Turkey?s EU bid, while not dead, faces a long uphill battle. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan has called the decision a great injustice, but he pledged to keep improving Turkey?s record on such issues as human rights. The EU has valid concerns about Turkey?s candidacy for EU membership, and member states are monitoring Turkey?s progress on these issues. Further, with 10 new members in the last two years, Europe is likely also wary of immigration and poorer newcomers depleting their resources. A number of recent EU entrants have very little to offer the EU economically. Many feel that Turkey is a poor country with a large population that will inundate Europe. However, the Turkish economy is growing, there is great manufacturing potential, and Istanbul?s investment potential and building boom could bode well for the nation.
More cynically, Turkey is a Muslim country that may be too different to be a part of Christian Europe, which is facing a slew of problems with burgeoning immigrant populations. Conversely, if Turkey is spurned by the West, they may look toward the East for political and economic alliances. If a moderate Muslim country becomes part of Europe, it may be better for Europe to increase understanding and integration between East and West, and Turkey has long been a buffer between these two worlds. For there to be cultural integration, Europe has to be comfortable with external borders that extend to Central Asia and the Middle East.
