1. That problem already exists and won't change if Turkey joins. It would change (Bulgarian and Greek borders fall away as part of the second barrier) if Turkey were to join Schengen (the open-borders treaty). Given how long Britain opted out of Schengen and still doesn't plan to join, this is not a close prospect. As for the long term, I don't see why it could be impossible to increase border security.

2. (a) that provision will be dropped, (2) Turkey stay out of the Euro like Britain, Sweden and Denmark.

3. Same as 1). BTW, the heroin coming from Turkey is not coming from Turkey - it is coming from Afghanistan (where the US fails to put in place any meaningful plan to curb production, letting allied warlords finance themselves with it).

4. Yes, the CAP would change. But Turkey's joining is way beyond even 2013, when the current new EU members - old members balance will set in, so working out the details is not an issue for today (i.e. the economies of all countries you list will transform significantly in the meantime).

5. There are 21 languages in use. Interpreters aren't paid to sit around. As for working languages in informal meetings, I don't think German will replace French, and even less that Turkish will come along. This is not a function of how many citizens a country has, but how many other countries speak the language. French is official language in three EU members plus Switzerland, German is official language in four members and Switzerland, plus perhaps the most spoken second language here in Central-Eastern Europe (English may take over, but mostly in the younger generation). Turkish is only official in two future EU members, plus spoken by large minorities (that may enough for a few representatives in the EU) in maybe three others. But, either way: I don't see how this language issue is a "problem". (Except you are trying to troll some Frenchmen here.)

1. languages. Never been a problem, won't be a problem in the future, we're used to juggling between languages. One more won't make that big of a difference.

2. islamic banks. I'm pretty sure that won't be a problem too. We have a few islamic banks here in Belgium and the other EU countries probably have them too considering the fact that Europe already has a significant muslim population.

Just to repeat that Turkey, though a Muslim country, doesn't have a state religion.

Europeans maybe don't get it... (none / 0)

Turkey should apologize and get this over with, no question. But what interests me is the attitude towards Turkey's potential joining of the EU: The diarist seems to not welcome Turkey into the union.

From an American viewpoint, I can on the one hand understand the problems that Turkey would bring to the EU. But on the other hand, in our case we would generally WELCOME the addition of a new state because of the many benefits that come with an expanded union.

For example, suppose that Mexico decided to join the United States. Industry would love this, because a whole new population of low wage workers would become available. Mexicans would love it, because they would be able to freely move between Mexico and California, offering much better job opportunities. Americans would like the new low cost goods and the increased ability to travel to and retire to a warm climate while retaining the advantages of American residency. About the only people who wouldn't like it are Mexican politicians who would lose prestige and money.

Why isn't it this way with Turkey and the EU? If France, Germany, and Poland (mortal enemies for centuries) can get together, why can't Turkey join too?
by asdf on Fri

Jun 17th, 2005 at 10:16:26 AM PDT