Pros and cons: allowing Turkey to join the EU

THE ARGUMENTS FOR

Turkey's geographic position at the crossroads between Europe and the East, and its history since Ataturk as a modern secular state, allows it to provide a much needed bridge between the western and Islamic worlds.

More tangibly, it is also the country across which key pipelines bring oil and gas from Asia.

The Turkish economy is growing rapidly. European countries need to access it as easily as possible.

Turkey is better equipped to mediate in the Middle East than European countries. During the recent crisis in Gaza, Turkish diplomats were able to talk directly to the Hamas leadership. It also has comparatively good relations with Israel.

With its strong military tradition and large armed forces, Turkey would be a military asset for Europe. It has already been a Nato member since 1952 and currently has 1,500 troops fighting in Afghanistan. This loyalty and commitment to the western cause should be acknowledged.

The Turkish population is young and increasingly well-educated. The aging EU cannot afford to block this demographic from its workforce.

Large numbers of Turks, including those who went to Germany as guest workers, are already familiar with Europe and its customs.

Turkey has already responded to the EU's demands for change. It has abolished the death penalty, introduced tougher measures against torture and introduced reforms to help women and Kurds.

THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST
 
In many countries, notably Austria, France and Germany, very few people want to allow Turkey to join the EU. Their views should be taken into account.

Culturally, Turkey is not European. It is an Islamic nation which does not fit into the EU 'Christian club'.

Granting Turkey EU membership would mean allowing a wave of Turkish immigrants into Europe.

Turkey, part of the G20, is a very big country. It would soon exercise too much power in the EU.

EU countries have to achieve a certain standard of democracy and human rights. Turkey, which treats both its Kurdish minority and its women appallingly, doesn’t reach this standard.

With a GNI per capita of just over $8,000, Turkey is not yet rich enough to join the EU. It will cost taxpayers in other countries too much to subsidize it.

Despite recent advances in its relationship with Greece, Turkey's territorial claim to northern Cyprus is not accepted by Greece and others in Europe.

Turkey refuses to recognise the Armenian Genocide of 1915. It would be hypocritical of EU countries, many of which have extremely strict laws against Holocaust denial, to allow them membership. ·