Reinfeldt: 'Turkey belongs to Europe'
Published: 22 Apr 09 07:17 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/19002/20090422/
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt expressed his support on Tuesday for Turkey’s EU membership, emphasizing that a settlement in Cyprus would aid the process.
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But a settlement from the UN-led peace talks between the rival Turkish and Greek sectors on Cyprus would help Turkey's case, he added.
Sweden takes over the rotating EU presidency on July 1.
Turkey launched membership talks with the European bloc in October 2005.
But the talks have stalled over opposition from some EU states to allowing a predominantly Muslim country into the bloc; and over its long-running row with Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded its northern third in response to a Athens-engineered coup to unite the island with mainland Greece.
Elections in the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state on Sunday saw the return to power of hardline nationalists, raising fears over the future of the peace negotiations.
But Erdogan earlier Tuesday warned the poll winner against disrupting the talks.
Ankara wished to see a "just, lasting and comprehensive" settlement to the island's division by the end of the year, he said.
Turkey has refused to endorse the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government and is the only country to recognize the self-styled Turkish Cypriot statelet.
It has also refused to open its ports to EU-member Cyprus under a customs union pact with the EU.
That prompted the EU bloc in 2006 to freeze talks in eight of the 35 policy chapters Ankara needs to successfully negotiate.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
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It has a different culture and values than we have in Europe, therefore the accession of Turkey to the EU is a non-sense. Being a member of NATO is enough. Europe has enough problems with immigrant already now, and leting millions of people from different culture come tu Europe is simply unwise. 97 per cent of territory of Turkey is in Aisa. The first sentense of the Copenhaguen criteria is: "Any European country..." and this shoulh be enough. Turkey is geographically, mentally and culturally in Asia.
Historically, Turkey is one of the few countries that accumulated a solid-civilization, far more then countries like (Sweden, Norway). Go and figure it out!!
Thanks,
Aynte
!!! is Turkey as much or less European than Morocco ??......and then if we don´t care about geographie let´s have Ukraine as well.....and then what ?? Australia ?? Mars? Jupiter?
I mean, they're in Eurovision, so they must be part of Europe, right?
I think there needs to be a stepped joining of the EU. They reach certain standards in some areas and the doors that give access to those areas are opened.
Good point though, Princess P.
Until they can all just be friends over there, Greece will continue to apply pressure for Turkey to be refused entry to the EU.
Given it's position at the edge of Europe/Asia and the fact that it's got a blimming massive army I think it would be rather advantageous to have them in the EU.
If a country is to be held accountable for attrocities it committed in it's past then I don't think Britain or Germany to name but two would be allowed in the EU either!
Turks are not Europian at all, their origin comes from tatar-mongols, from Asia during mediveal time. Ethically they are not Europian or even they dont have any root. By land we can say just Istanbul is in Europian side, and Istabul is COSTANTINOPOL which was Byzitine(Greece).
Its very clear and understandable that Turks does not belong to Europe ethically and by land. The land which present now Turkey was land of GREEKS, ARMENIANS, ASSYRIANS and other Christian comunites. Most of the immigranted Assyrians from Turkey, syria, Iraq and lebanon live in sweden, the Swedush goverment knew that very well.
I think Europians need more lesson to know what is ISLAM, what is TURKS, and WHAT IS TURKEY. Still the history from 13 till 21 centuries are fresh. what turkey has done.
Europe has also borders and yes Ukraine and even European Russia are part of the big Europe........
Anyway, back to the discussion. Turkey? No way man, they're Muslims, we're already living in Europistan, the last thing we need is more of them or, er, they'll probably drape a huge burkha over all the EU.
Olé!
I will not post too much of my personal opinion here, but I'd like to suggest people who are "really interested" in this topic to start with the corresponding Wikipedia article (link below), as it represents some useful facts, some of which needs to be read by some of the people who have posted in this article; such as Greece's position on Turkey's membership, Islam's effect on Turkey and the economical impact for EU.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accession_of_Turkey_to_the_European_Union
1. The issue of EU access has different dimensions to consider; economical, cultural and geopolitical.
2. If you haven't seen any of the major three cities (Istanbul, Ankara & Izmir) which sums a population around 40 million, you might be reaching conclusions not necessarily representing the reality.
3. If your experience with Turkish people is limited with the immigrants you meet abroad, or if you think there is no diversity between the Muslim people, if you think all Turks have embraced Islam with full heart, you might be acting on prejudices.
5. When it comes to glorious history with no human blood being spilled, isn't it pretty hard to find a European county with a clean sheet? I believe the key difference here is how cultures understand, embrace and handle their past; and yes, Turkey and Turkish culture is not be the best example on that. Which better examples can we point out from the EU then?
.hoom.
Muslim have occupied Spain.......does it make Europe to have muslim heritage? what about Irak? does it have now American heritage?
I really don't know how Turkey can be thought of as anything other than politically, culturally, and geographically separate and distinct from Europe.
By the way, as a secular Turk I have to warn my secular European friends that there is a movement over there to identify Europe as a Christian union. You had fought hard to keep the religion out of the EU constitution...Watch out!
In the major cities in the west its a lot nicer, richer and more worthy of the EU than Bulgaria and Romania were.
Out east though...its very much a typical middle eastern country.
The solution? Grant the Kurds independance and then apply to join with the decent parts of Turkey.
Turks tend to agree that the east is quite the hole and the west rich but they never do like that idea...
ehh...Why Britain especially?
Unless you're saying no one should be allowed in.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle6041404.ece
It is even unfair to compare the "Great Turkey" with these small little european countries with no history and king lol
I heard some of these countries even borrowed a King lol. Turkey rocks and is one of the kicking butt Country in every sense.
but Turkey does not and never did belong to Europe, neither historically, culturally, ethnically nor geographically. If you mean this strip of land which is in fact on the European continent west of the Bosporus, this is the historically and ethnically Greek region of Thrakia which has been kept by Turkey after the fall of the Osman Empire.
Does this make Turkey a European state then? In this case Spain must be part of Africa through its colonies Ceuta and Melilla.
if turky is included in eu the virus(muslims) spreads to all countries very fast (4 children per family atleast)and europe will die with disease just like afghanistan or pakistan or somalia or sudan
Turkey is NOT European.
I've always wonder why these Islamic countries don't just start their own union. Why do they want to be a part of the west anyway? Most are never content living in a western society and don't want to be apart of the community. Just look at certain parts of Sweden - where they live and gather, aren't those areas turning into ghettos. As for France, every time there are riots, it doesn't look like your typical french man is the one overturning and setting cars on fire.
We don't need millions of Turks roaming around as they please.
When people start acting really stupid, causing riots, crime... most of the time they are from similar countries. There needs to be tighter control, not new borders being opened.
Isn't Britan having a lot of problems because of all these latest countries that have joined the EU?
Can Sweden leave the EU? I would vote for that.
Some facts:
- Turkey is an Euroasian country. It is European as well as Asian; it is Caucasian, Mediterranean; belongs to Balkans, as well as Middle East. All these make the culture in Turkey so rich and diverse.
- I advise you 'Europeans' to learn the geographical borders of your continent. Many are not aware where Urals and Caucasus are, and where Cyprus is!
- Turkey is one of the countries which prove that democracy and Islam can coexist.
- Nowadays nobody in Turkey is keen on joining the EU. They see how EU politicians are fooling them. EU wants to use Turkey (as a market, energy bridge, political bridge etc.), but does not want it to be part of it.
Turkey is not Euroasian Country, Its JUTS ASIAN country. Even its not Caucasian, Mediterranean and do not belongs to Balkans, as well as to Middle East. You belong to Mongol - Tatar ethically and as origin, which is in north east of Aisa. The culture which you think as turks have it, its mix of Armenian, Arabic, Assyrian, Greeks and Kurds culture. What you have it now, you had it with blood. No one need to learn geography. You have just occupied the land of many nations, Greeks, Armenians, Assyrians. Dont forget the Armenian genocide in 1915 one and half millions of Armenian, same to Greeks and Assyrians. Do not lie, that turkey is democracy, why do you still worship ataturk? your goverment day after day getting more islamic and MORE FANATIC...
You the turks dream to be part of Europe, it will remain dream, your end will be mongolstan.
No?
@nyoped,
Denmark lies (and always has been) completely within Europe, its part of the mainland as well as its islands. In case you mean its former colony Greenland, because of this geographical fact you'd argue that Denmark belongs to America?
Some major fault in your argumentation there.
Snikk in particular displays a staggering lack of knowledge. I'd actually like to frame that post as among the most impressively wrong and racist I've seen here to date - well done that pratt!
It's a bit sad that once again a thread has to be hijacked by racists and cretins who can hardly string a sentence together.
Secondly, We can say then that every nation today had occupied some other nation's land in the past- what a logic like crybabies!!
Third, it is easy to say there is genocide. There no solid evidence about such armenian genocide and even there was such thing, as infinity94 says it is 1915 but where is Turkey then? Turkey is founded in 1923.
Please if you hate some nations, have some knowledge about them first otherwise you can be in the position of such a fool while making arguments.
Even if these numbers are exaggerated, and we take half of that, it amounts to more than 20 million people. A mass exodus like that to western Europe is unstable.
An increase in the immigrant population on any of the western European countries would cripple the economies of said countries.
With the economy being as it is right now, this is unwise at best.
It is unfortunate that people use words like "racism" and "Bigotry" in a situation like this. The facts of the matter is unemployment is on the rise, if there are not enough jobs for the people in the country as it is, then there will be none for a huge influx.
Logic must prevail in situations such as this.
I might have objections about the immature Turkish democracy, the legal system not being independent enough, the political power of the army, the Kurdish issue and the security implications of having an EU bordering Iran, Iraq, and Syria, but the potential workforce is something I put on the plus side.
One thing that Britain is demonstrating nicely at the moment is that economic immigrants go where there are jobs. If there aren't jobs then it's not a place to earn money. There are far fewer EU immigrants arriving in Britain at the moment and there are many going home. Turks are not stupid, nor can they live off air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ9kgHkfoKw...feature=related
One of my best friends is a Turk. Great warm loving people however his sister isn’t allowed out by herself even though she is in her 20’s. His mother has never worked because it’s not acceptable for her to do so. They have turned parts of north and east London into an exclusive Turkish/Kurdish area.
These people are not European and don’t have European ideas or values, sorry to say but it’s the truth.
VikingHumpingWitch, “There are far fewer EU immigrants arriving in Britain at the moment and there are many going home.”
You are completely wrong. They don’t count who is coming in the UK from EU countries because they are compete freedom to enter so they don't have any accurate numbers.
As for the leaving, a recent report says that most eastern Europeans are planning to stay here because they don’t have any jobs in their homeland and after a year in Britain they are entitled to benefits which are greater then these in their homeland so it doesn’t make sense to go back does it?
.
.
My grandmother wears a headscarf.
I see it as a positive thing. Turkey has had a lot of reforms (and still have many to do) before they can be allowed into the EU. Once they do it won't be a problem. Culturally Asian? How? You people ever been to Turkey (or Asia)? I'd argue that the Bulgarians and Romanians are far more backwards than the turks, but I guess since they're not muslims it's ok...
- Turkish culture is not European.
- Turkey is not a European country.
- Turks are Asians, not Europeans.
2/3 of Russia is in Asia and that in no way makes Russians an Asian people.
The Turks are a central Asian people that are relatively a very recent addition to Asia Minor.
Turkey used to own large swaths of Europe for hundreds of years, and that in no way made them European or part of Europe.
The last thing Europe needs is more Muslims, especially in Germany where Muslims constitute 5% of the population and are responsible for 20% of the births. Yes, 20%. They are becoming very arrogant.
If Europeans do not reverse their hedonistic lifestyles and their suicidal reproduction habits Europe will expire from old age, and Muslims will take their place. Not that many Euros seem to care.
Chris
Fight for western culture.
Western culture will not survive being "replenished" by non-westerners.
Asians are not stupid; they would never voluntarily allow Europeans to flood and force such influence over their respective cultures.
Europeans are a bunch of hedonistic, suicidal, self-hating sodomites whose culture at the moment deserves to flounder and rot.
Tens of millions were killed during the various 20th century wars, and for what?
Get back to Christianity, start having sex and kids and western culture will prevail.
People in Turkey were hopeful about EU in the beginning but now the consensus is that it will never happen and we should take care of ourselves.
Turkey is a secular and perfectly livable country (my lifestyle hasn't changed one bit when moved from Ist to Sto, in fact I used to have more bar action back in good old Ist.) and it is this way NOT because of blind copy-catting Europeans but because we prefer it that way.
Now that I think about it, in fact, I would like to keep Turkey unique as it is, a blend of Europe, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Asia and Far East roots.
So EU?, no but thanks, we like to keep it to ourselves and stay the unique country we are. (no nationalistic chest beating here!)
That is the key to keeping Turks out of Europe; modernize Turkey.
As for "nationalism", when your culture becomes self-hating and acquiescent to the foreign hordes in its midst, you too will become "nationalist".
Chris
It is already a modern country, much much more than some EU countries that are recently accepted. And it has roots from Far East to India (who do you think built Taj Mahal??) up to Vienna. We don't want (need) no stinkin' EU, tack tack. (I have nothing against Europe and its people, it's just this EU-game that I dislike)
I made the nationalist comment for myself, not to criticize you, but you're so damn on your toes to bash somebody that you took it on yourself.
Here's what you don't see, so long as you close your doors to the world, we will be discussing keeping Euros out of Turkey in the coming decades.
cheers.
2 World Wars, genocides that are unseen to man and deaths by the millions in 30 years? (not counting enslaving who ever you can in the whole world just to obtain material goods, nice christian morals there) Way to go Europe, you have such a non-violent history!
"The World Values Survey Association found that Turkey is distrustful of foreigners."
"Among Turkish respondents, 25 percent viewed people unfavorably who speak a language other than Turkish. The number of people who attributed importance to freedom of expression was in decline."
"Three out of four think man's place is at the head of the family. Polygamy for men is acceptable, said 10 percent. Almost two thirds thinks women should obey men. One fifth said a woman can warrant a beaten by her husband."
http://arama.hurriyet.com.tr/arsivnews.aspx?id=-623874
Question: Does 'this' sound like a Western Nation to you?
Discuss.
.
http://www.economist.com/world/britain/dis...ory_id=12010095
:sarcasm:
if they stop bombing attacking and fighting for power and oil they will never be safe. but yeah
Sweden will be safe for sure no matter if a million of immigrants come here .
I heard many Swedish Ppl long time age used to go to Turkey for work and these days they find the treausre of Gold and coins and most are the old Turkish coins.
http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=5349
You never know maybe after 200 or 300 things would change again.
Turkish people are the most well balanced Europeans i have met. They are very friendly and great well meaning people. They are also used to having to be in both the muslim and non muslim factions at the same time.
Turkey is very very different from Egypt or Syria for example
This is why, for example, Nordic citizens don't need passports when visiting Nordic countries and why there are different citizenship rules for Nordic citizens...
I don't think there is much support for neither a Nordic union nor a full European Union when it comes to the Nordic countries; we are a bit sceptical and don't like the idea of giving too much power to a union, not even a Scandiavian one.