Should Turkey be allowed to join the EU?

David Cameron recently visited Turkey to express his support for Turkey to join  the European Union as a member state – a view that is unpopular both with the French and German governments but also with many supporters of Mr Cameron’s own Conservative party.

Since the mid 1980s the Turkish government has made EU membership a long-standing aim of its platform to modernise both the economy and the political system of the Turkish state. However, in recent times, this aim has been frustrated by European leaders who are seemingly increasingly reluctant to grant Turkey full membership.

Arguments for Turkey joining the EU.

Turkey has a large and rapidly growing economy which is already closely integrated with major EU trading partners such as the UK, Germany, France and Italy.

Both Turkish and European companies would benefit from Turkey’s accession into the EU which would reduce barriers to trade stimulating foreign direct investment both in Turkey itself and from Turkish to other European nations.

Since Roman times through to the Ottoman Empire and more recently as a member state of NATO Turkey has always been historically and culturally tied to other European nations.

Turkey also remains an important European ally in the continued efforts to combat terrorism and provide regional stability to the Middle East. Many political commentators have suggested that Turkey should be welcomed into the European Union in order to reward and reinforce this longstanding strategic partnership.

Arguments against Turkey joining the EU.

Opponents of Turkish membership tend to raise the following issues.

Firstly, they argue that Turkish culture ad values are inherent different to shared European norms.

Secondly, Turkey continues to refuse formal recognition for the state of Cyprus, a fully fledged member of the European Union. The Turkish government will have to acknowledge Cyprus to be considered a contender for membership.

Thirdly, many human rights campaigners are concerned about the rights of the Kurdish ethnic group who live in the Eastern border regions of Turkey and harbour separatist ambitions from the Turkish state.

The Kurdish people have limited civil liberties and there have been reports of widespread discrimination and repression which will need to stop for Turkey to be considered for European membership.

Where EU leaders stand on the issue

British PM David Cameron confirmed that the UK government will support Turkish accession to the EU during a recent visit to Ankara in 2010.The British position is supported by Spain and Italy as well as numerous other smaller European states.

However French President Nicolas Sarkozy has expressed fundamental opposition to Turkey’s entry into the EU.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also opposed Turkey’s full membership of the union advocating a form of privileged partnership.

Where do you stand on the issue?

What do you think of the arguments for and against Turkey’s entry into the EU?

For some, the question boils down to whether the Turkey should be seen as a “European” nation. This will of course depend on how you define “Europe” as a geographical, historical and/or cultural concept.

According to this view, in defining Europe you set parameters which in turn will produce geographical borders, historical boundaries or cultural limits. The answer to the question is then simple – does Turkey fit within these parameters or outside of them?

For others, the question is more of a calculation, they ask: do the economic benefits (trade, market access) outweigh the political costs (immigration flows, further sovereignty dilution).

On this view, entry to the EU should depend less on whether Turkey is European per se but rather on the basis of a cost-benefit analysis. If the benefits outweigh the costs then Turkey should be admitted, if the opposite is true then it should not.

Feeling inclined to give your opinion?

Click here to vote on Turkey EU Membership