50 years of Turkish steps towards and back from the European Union

[webfact]

50 years of Turkish steps towards and back from the European Union

 

 

ANKARA: -- Turkey’s first steps towards accession to Europe go back more than 50 years, when Ankara asked for an association agreement with the European Economic Community. Negotiations officially began in 2005.

 

But in 2013, the EU postponed talks on Turkey’s possible accession to the bloc.

 

Nationwide protests followed what was described as the heavy-handed action of Turkish police after a protest at Istanbul’s Taksim Square over the uprooting of trees in the square’s Gezi Park.

 

An initially peaceful gathering turned violent when police tried to break it up.

 

Relations between Ankara and Brussels deteriorated further after this year’s failed coup and the subsequent purges by the Turkish authorities targeting suspected instigators.

 

According to analyst Nail Alkan, the EU’s indifference to Turkey and its unwillingness to deal with the refugees in the country reflects rising anti-Muslim sentiment.

 

“Turkey can hardly be accepted as an EU member due to the existence of Islamophobia in Europe. The EU is now trying to avoid neighboring Iran, Iraq and Syria, the countries that border Turkey,” Alkan said.

 

In March 2016 the EU entered into a controversial agreement with Turkey: for every one Syrian refugee returned to Turkey, another would be resettled from Turkey to the EU. Ankara signed the deal in return for financial and political concessions such as visa-free travel for Turks.

 

WIth tensions rising, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said if talks do not proceed according to plan, Ankara may hold its own referendum on EU membership.

 

“Let’s be patient until the end of this year, then we will go to the people. Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the people, so let’s go to the people,” Erdogan said.

 

In spite of the rising discord the EU insisted on continuing the process towards accession.

 

If the accession process came to an end, I believe we would, both, find ourselves in a lose-lose scenario,” said the EU’s High Representative Federica Mogherini. “Europe would lose an important channel for dialogue and leverage with Turkey. Turkey would lose a lot.”

 

Turkey said it could approach the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), whose partner nations include China and Russia.

Erdogan then announced Ankara’s intention to strengthen its relations with Moscow.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-11-25

[Laughing Gravy]

28 minutes ago, webfact said:

In spite of the rising discord the EU insisted on continuing the process towards accession

Just with this statement alone makes me happy about Brexit. The EU might as well have negotiations with Israel, Saudi Arabia and ISIS as they are just as bad with their terrorism. No wonder Boris Johnson will help them join the EU as the UK is leaving. The EU is already on a path to destruction. Dealing with Turkey is like putting petrol on a fire.

[BuaBS]

Europe stops at the Greek border .

Turkey is like nazi germany with an islamic flavor.

[daveAustin]

I hope they eventually get in... after Britain is out. The EU will then need to prepare for the arrival of tens of millions more Muslims and countries leaving left and right.

[Khon Kaen Dave]

Didnt Turkey threaten to bring back the death penalty after the uprising this year? I thought that no country who has or is considering the death penalty were viable EU members.Turkey is alive with Ilsaamism,and occupied by barbarians that believe that to get the bride of your dreams,you are entitled to rape her first.

Still 1000 years in the past.What a great addition they will make.Quality members.

[elgordo38]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Let’s be patient until the end of this year, then we will go to the people. Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the people, so let’s go to the people,” Erdogan said.

Boy spoken like a true peoples president. Does he have any people left or are they all locked up. 

[ddavidovsky]

Nobody wants Turkey in the EU, but the politicians are locked into political correctness and can't actually come out and say why, hence there's a real danger that Turkey will be admitted simply because some politicians don't want to appear rude.

 

Analyst Neil Alkan put it plainly enough.

[Morch]

12 hours ago, BuaBS said:

Europe stops at the Greek border .

Turkey is like nazi germany with an islamic flavor.

 

[elgordo38]

6 hours ago, ddavidovsky said:

Turkey will be admitted simply because some politicians don't want to appear rude.

Did you perchance follow the American election. Rude was the new normal. If they do not want to appear rude we would have to classify them as gentlemen. That's where I draw the line. 

[JemJem]

You guys shouldn't forget that we Turks are not all Allah/Muhammed freaks.

It's just that this Islamofascist Erdogan and his followers seem to have the upper hand now. How long this will last, we shall see.

For those of you who think most Turks are like Erdogan, shame on you ! Erdogan is like a medieval leader with almost zero intellect. He doesn't represent the whole of Turkey.

Keep your fascist views to yourselves, man.

[NongKhaiKid]

The BBC is reporting that many in Brussels are angry that Erdogan is ' blackmailing ' them but there'a also a fear of upsetting him.

Great conditions to have talks. Wouldn't it be nice to see Europe stand tough, for once !

[thai3]

In his book the dream of Rome Boris argues passionately for the EU and was all for Turkey joining, his great grand dad was from there and could recite the koran by heart.

[Laughing Gravy]

One thing that this article shows and that many others are saying, that the EU was considering them joining the EU and possibly still are, even after the recent arrests from the coup. There are some remoaners on here who are still crying that those campaigning for the EU to leave in the UK, were telling lies that Turkey was going to be allowed in the EU. Having talks clearly demonstrates this. The EU may change its mind but at the time in May/June this year it was considered, so no lie at all.

Edited November 26, 2016 by Laughing Gravy

[Khon Kaen Dave]

Jem jem.

Not all Turks are like Erdogan,but Erdogan controls most Turks.And as for your rant about remarks.There is a thing called freedom of speech.Thai visa has it as far as it can here,but it allows us to air our views,and that is what we do here.So get over it.Remarks are allowed here,what ever. God knows i've been insulted enough in the past just for being a Brit. If you dont want to hear Turkey insulted,you know what to do.

[ddavidovsky]

7 hours ago, JemJem said:

You guys shouldn't forget that we Turks are not all Allah/Muhammed freaks.

It's just that this Islamofascist Erdogan and his followers seem to have the upper hand now. How long this will last, we shall see.

For those of you who think most Turks are like Erdogan, shame on you ! Erdogan is like a medieval leader with almost zero intellect. He doesn't represent the whole of Turkey.

Keep your fascist views to yourselves, man.

 

I think that's understood. Personally I've had lengthy travels in Turkey and love the place and the people. Problem is that, politically, Turkey is capable of letting such a leader and system happen.

Edited November 26, 2016 by ddavidovsky