Should Turkey Join the EU?

Since Turkey is not a European country (96 percent of her landmass is geographically in Europe and the 4 percent that is is due to an historical fluke), it should not be admitted into the EU. Having said that, the EU could sign a free-trade agreement with Turkey like it would with any other sovereign nation. But that should be the extent of the relationship. And I find it appalling that Turkey is seeking to dictate the terms of negotiation. Who does she think she is when she says "we will not accept any other conditions?" She is not in any position to insist upon anything. She wants to join the club, the club does not want her in. Therefore, Turkey should either be willing to accept whatever the EU requires or she should stay out. How badly does she want to join? Then she needs to start taking responsibility for what she wants. If she's not prepared to do so, she should not be allowed to join. -- Felicity Hope, Singapore

If Turkey was not a Moslem country I would say "yes," but with radical Islam spreading at an alarming rate, having them in the EU would be like inviting in a "Trojan Turkey." Better to wait until the Jihad movement has been totally eradicated. -- Charles Reichert, Canada

I usually encourage stronger relationships between Germany and Turkey, however after personal experience I can say: A full EU membership for Turkey is a huge step (that) will cost the EU (a great) price! What should the EU do? One, the EU should start long negotiations with the Turkish end with a conditional membership to put the EU on the safe side. Two, the EU should try to figure out why Turkey needs full EU membership and then try to put more solutions on the table, things the Turks can't deny. -- Aiman Yunes

As a Cypriot I am hoping that Prime Minister Erdogan keeps his word. I understand that he also has tremendous pressure internally, and it won't be easy for him to simply dismiss his opponents (army, right wingers) by recognizing Cyprus. However, one has to admit that if you do want to be part of a family, you need to be in good standing with all the people in the family.
I would like to see Turkey in the EU, because deep down the people aren't bad. The country's military, however, used to impose its will over everyone as initially it was the only way to control the diversity in that country. Even though I think it's a fair deal, it will come down, once again, to how much does Erdogan get over the army. -- Theo Theocharides

Turks tend to be much more moderate in their approach to Islam. The Turkish approach to Islam in one's personal life, for example, could be a "role-model" for the other Moslem peoples, living currently within the EU. Sure the Turkish model of democracy hasn't been a smooth one, and they are still "working" things out, but let's not forget even Germany had its Hitler, and there's nothing so bad in the Turkish model of democracy that could parallel Germany's Hitler or Russia's Stalin.

Europe faces "roughly" two futures. The first would leave Europe as a largely Christian club with economic associations, lacking true diversity and any means of affecting its policies anywhere on the globe. The second choice would define a much different Europe; one that is both culturally, ethnically diverse and possibly one with a more unified presence and greater military ability to effect its policies and desires around the globe; providing a "balance" to other, currently much more powerful, countries.
However, it takes "vision" to take the second approach. It takes the ability to see beyond paranoia ("the Moslems are out to get us") and fears ("how will we ever support them all!"). The EU could "throw" in a "monkey-wrench" of sorts in to the works in the form of "humiliating" demands that would simply derail the whole works. But it would be too naive to expect the Turks to not see such tactics for simply what they are: excuses covering the real reasons behind the rejection. -- Mustapha Stokely, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, USA