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| Europe |
| EU Single-Market Commissioner: Keep Turkey Out of EU |
| 2004-03-08 |
| the old aphorism: "you made your bed, now lie in it" comes to mind Turkey should be kept outside the European Union to act as a "buffer" protecting Europe from Syria, Iran and Iraq, according to Frits Bolkestein, the EU single market commissioner. Mr Bolkestein argues that the former Soviet republics of Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine should also be excluded, to insulate Europe from Russia. His views come in a new book, The Limits of Europe, in which he warns that a geographically overstretched Europe would become "little more than a glorified customs union". The Dutch liberal is one of the most vocal sceptics of Turkish membership among the 20 EU commissioners who must recommend in October whether to start accession talks with Ankara. However, a majority on the Commission is expected to approve the Turkish bid, provided Ankara continues its reforms and helps to reunite the island of Cyprus. Germany’s Christian Democrats, the conservative opposition, are among those campaigning to exclude Turkey from the EU, while many French politicians are sceptical or hostile. Valery Giscard d’Estaing, who chaired the European convention, said in 2002 that Turkish membership would mark "the end of the European Union". Ah yes, Ankara - Paris and Berlin are MUCH more suitable friends than Washington, no??? The issue is expected to be one of the most politically sensitive in the European parliament’s June elections. In his book Mr Bolkestein says: "In the east, there is a geo- political need for a buffer zone between the EU and Russia, which might be formed by the countries that do not belong to either bloc." A similar buffer would also be advantageous "in order to cushion the Union against Syria, Iran and Iraq". Officials confirmed he was referring to Turkey. He also says that once Turkey was a member, it would be hard to deny membership to a country such as Ukraine. "The Ukraine is more European than Turkey," he told the Financial Times. Mr Bolkestein, who hopes to have his mandate renewed when the Commission stands down in October, qualified the remarks in his book, saying that Turkish membership with the EU could "export stability". He said that the extension of the EU to the east would limit further integration, although the Union’s key economic competencies - the single market, trade policy and competition policy - could continue. Mr Bolkestein said the EU needed to concentrate on its core tasks to reconnect with its citizens, including bolstering economic growth. He also criticised French and German economic reforms, saying they had "not gone far enough" and that the so-called Rhineland economic model pursued by the two countries was "responsible for unemployment of 8-9 per cent". he’s right about that part. |
| Posted by:rkb |
| #9 I apologize for not spell-checking Cyprus, but beyond that I think my points hold, you're just not looking far enough out. I'm talking about a United States of Europe, what so many European politicians say they desire. Do you think California and Nevada argue about the borders? Do any states in the US? At some point Europe will have get to that attitude (all European) or the whole experiment fails. When they do get to that point silly disputes like Cyprus, North Ireland, and the Basque problem become far less serious. Yeah, they might want to be their own states with in the EU but that's not going to get a lot of people motivated to fight. Regarding Turkish troops, assuming you see a truly United States of Europe the government could use recruitment bonuses to try to convince Turks to enlist. They could go to a military school in Prussia to ensure they are good modern warriors, and then they could serve wherever the UN and the EU decide they would be useful. Turkey could have the pride of lots of troops while the rest of Europe can share the expense and have the pride of sending peacekeepers to somewhere that needs help. By the way, most Americans that I know of do not like the idea of a United States of Europe. Its not because we don't want the competition (the same people think a monitary union would be great) but because we don't think the Europeans are willing to give up thousands of years of history in order to become more like the US. If Europeans are unwilling to take the last step when the time comes the whole experiment was a waste of time and money. |
| Posted by: ruprecht 2004-3-8 6:21:34 PM |
| #8 ruprecht> It's "Cyprus", and it wouldn't solve any problems concerning it, it would compound them. As for the rest, Turkey isn't ready to join the EU, and the EU isn't ready to accept Turkey. Simple as that. And talking about the troops that Turkey could offer is ridiculous at this point, when Britain and the US balk at even the idea of the EU wielding military power (or even just having a mutual defense pact), even if it's on a strictly voluntary-on-the-part-of-the-member-states basis. |
| Posted by: Aris Katsaris 2004-3-8 5:28:10 PM |
| #7 ruprecht: I agree: the Europeans are being short sighted as well as subtly racist. Which is exactly what they accuse the United States of being on any given Sunday (hypocrites). I mean, what nation wants to become the New Europe's "buffer zone" anyhow? Do they think that they're the new Soviet Union or something? Oh, wait, I already know the answer to that one. The EU reminds me of my boarder collie. He's all bark and snarl when he thinks he can bluff his way out of things, but as soon as another dog growls back he rolls over and shows his belly every time. Odd yet somehow sadly predictable. |
| Posted by: Secret Master 2004-3-8 2:20:44 PM |
| #6 Europe needs to decide exactly what they want. If they want to be a great power they could do far worse than allowing Turkey into the mix. Turkey would provide some nice troups and peacekeepers that would be very advantagious when it comes to dealing with the Islamic World and it will remove a lot of border issues with Greece and Cypress that everyone would like to see go away. It might mean the migration of industry (and related jobs) from Western Europe to Turkey, but it also might mean the Turkish immigrants in Western Europe might return to Turkey as the standard of living and quality of life improves. |
| Posted by: ruprecht 2004-3-8 12:35:17 PM |
| #5 Send Rangle and Sharpton to Brussles to eliminate this blatant racism. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-3-8 11:49:30 AM |
| #4 ...Man, are the Turks gonna be pissed... Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2004-3-8 11:47:34 AM |
| #3 the eurotrash are in lala land if they think turkey will be a buffer. once these asshats in iran and syria have the bomb thier missiles will be in range of europe before the united states. if they know what is good for their future generations then they would be courting the turks to bring them in the fold and putting serious pressure on syria and iran. while the US prepares to take out iran - without iran (and no saddam) sryia is in deep shit. |
| Posted by: Dan 2004-3-8 10:48:29 AM |
| #2 Sooner or later the Germans (who are paying for most of the EU) will decide they've had enough. They've already reneged on the 'stability pact', so why shouldn't they 'lose a cheque' or two? What happens then? |
| Posted by: Tony (UK) 2004-3-8 9:55:57 AM |
| #1 Well, if the EU needs an army they could do worse then to incorporate the Turks. It's not like the Euro effort to get off the merry-go-round of history can last forever. |
| Posted by: Hiryu 2004-3-8 9:34:50 AM |