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European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Turkey on 17 Dec. 2004

Turkey has ‘much to do’ before it can join EU

Report on EU enlargement says Turkey needs to do more on rule of law and democratic rights but leaves door open for membership

Stefan Fule said that the ‘ball is in Turkey’s court’ Photo: AFP

By Martin Banks, Brussels5:55PM BST 16 Oct 20138 Comments

Turkey still has “much to do” in tackling press freedom, democratic rights and police brutality before it can entertain hopes of joining the EU, a major report on future expansion has said.

Stefan Fule, the EU enlargement commissioner, said that in terms of satisfying the necessary criteria for EU membership the “ball is in Turkey´s court”.

He was speaking on Wednesday after the European Commission published its annual progress reports assessing how far Ankara and other countries aspiring to EU membership have come in bringing their laws into line with EU standards.

The Commission report criticised “excessive” use of force by Turkish police in crushing anti-government protests in the summer, with Mr Fule saying this was “cause for serious concern.”

The keenly-awaited report said progress was still needed in Turkey on the rule of law, tackling corruption and on reform of the judiciary.

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But the Commission was more consensual towards possible Turkish membership than had been expected, with Mr Fule describing the country as a “strategic partner” for the EU and adding that its membership credentials remained “credible.”

“I´ve a lot of voices saying we should disengage with Turkey but I take the opposite view. We have so many issues of mutual interest but the ball is in Turkey´s court,” he said.

Ankara has provisionally completed just one of 35 chapters of accession talks. It has opened a dozen more policy areas but most of the rest are blocked due to disputes over the divided island of Cyprus or hostility from some EU members such as Germany.

EU governments will consider the Commission’s report at a meeting on October 22 when they will decide whether they will open the next ‘chapter’ of accession negotiations with Turkey on regional policy.

In its report, the Commission also proposed that EU governments formally recognise Albania as a candidate for membership. On Serbia, which won a green light in June to start negotiations by next January, Mr Fule praised Belgrade´s efforts to normalise relations with its former province Kosovo.

However, the document was scathing of some other candidate countries, including Bosnia where Mr Fule said the accession process had ground to a “standstill.”

Helene Flautre, a French Green MEP, who chairs the European Parliament´s Turkey delegation, said: “The report paints a mixed picture of the situation in Turkey. While there is clear progress on issues such as the Kurdish question, minority rights and judicial reform, the Commission correctly highlights problems in the field of fundamental rights and freedom of the press as the weaknesses of Turkish democracy.”

via Turkey has ‘much to do’ before it can join EU – Telegraph.

October 19, 2013
Turkey EU: Why It Will Never Happen
Turkey EU: Why It Will Never Happen
- Teklehaymanot Yilma
Turkey EU: Why It Will Never Happen

Turkey has been attempting to the join the European Union for years with no success. In fact, ever since it started applying, countries like Slovenia and Croatia have been accepted and Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Kosovo are being groomed to join. Mind you that Turkey first applied to join while those countries were still one country as Yugoslavia.

While the EU has virtually put Turkey’s application on what seems like a permanent “hold” status, a large number of the Turkish people are disappointed in the EU’s lack of response. “I guess that nobody wants to say that we are not going to continue with the accession process, neither the EU nor Turkey,” said Turkey’s ambassador to the EU, Selim Yenel.

Turkey will never be accepted into the EU for two major reasons.

1. Culture/Religion

Many influential EU leaders have rejected the idea of allowing a Muslim country be a part of the EU. Many fear that unlike the smaller European countries that had smooth accession, a largeMuslim country would stand out and integration with the rest of the European Union would not be easy.

2. Geography

Turkey is truly unique, at the cross roads of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Turkey both culturally and historically represents a linkage between the West and East and even though its location has so much historical significance, it also has some negatives. Ultimately, the European Union would never be willing to share a border with Syria, Iraq, Armenia and Iran. Should Turkey join the EU, these four countries would be the new neighbors of the European Union.

This is precisely why the European Union has implemented the Neighborhood Policy. Essentially, this policy uses the EU’s direct neighbors as a buffer zone, almost like an artificial border. Under the Neighborhood Policy, countries like Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Syria, Turkey, Maldova and others, receive various forms of economic aid and trade subsidies from the EU to integrate their markets under conditions that would force them to become more democratic. The EU says that it is an effort to democratize their neighbors and assist them with economic growth. However, it essentially boils down to these countries’ being used as a buffer zone to act as a border, separating the EU from countries like Mali, Chad, Syria, Iraq and Belarus. Turkey is a crucial Neighborhood Policy member that the EU wants to permanently use as a buffer.

Despite these two reasons, Turkey should be glad it is not joining the EU. Joining the EU may bring many benefits such as access to the world’s biggest trading zone, free mobilization throughout the 28 member states, funding for infrastructure and of course the elite title of being a European Union member. However, Turkey is the gateway to Asian and Middle Eastern markets and as a member of the Neighborhood Policy, Turkey is getting all sorts of funds from the EU without the risks of being a part of the European Union and dealing with the Euro zone.

Second, being a European Union member may actually draw some animosity from Turkey’s neighbors which are not too fond of the EU or the west. Joining the EU might actually become a national security concern as Turkey could become a bigger target, as the only Muslim country in the EU furthering relations with the west.

So as an independent nation, Turkey can enjoy economic growth and expanding trade with the Middle East and Asiafree from European elitism, the unstable Euro, and animosity from extremist groups.
October 14, 2013
Flash News!!! Malta warns EU waters ‘a cemetery’ after fresh tragedy

According to BBC Malta’s prime minister has said European waters close to Africa are turning into a cemetery, after another boat laden with migrants capsized.

Joseph Muscat said Malta felt “abandoned” by the rest of Europe and urged the EU to take action.

Malta and Italy launched a rescue operation after a boat capsized on Friday, killing at least 50 people.

It happened 120km (70 miles) off Lampedusa, the Italian island where at least 300 migrants drowned last week.

The loss of life has renewed the debate within EU member states on migration rules.

Children among dead

In the latest incident, the vessel carrying more than 200 migrants is believed to have encountered difficulties in Maltese waters just before sunset on Friday.

I don’t know how many more people need to die at sea before something gets done”

Joseph MuscatMaltese prime minister

The migrants used a satellite phone to raise the alarm but the boat capsized when passengers crowded to one side as they tried to get the attention of a passing aircraft, the Maltese navy said.

The BBC’s Matthew Price, on Lampedusa, says the boat was carrying Syrians and Palestinians.

The Syrians already in the refugee centre on Lampedusa had spoken to friends and relatives who had boarded the vessel, he says.

One couple who had survived the journey with their nine-month-old daughter said they had spent an hour in the water.

The husband had held the child to his chest to keep her alive, but he had been unable to help his son, who had drowned in front of them.

“Helicopters rescued 120 people”

Earlier on Friday, at least 500 other migrants travelling in separate boats were rescued in coastguard operations near the Italian island of Sicily.

Also on Friday, a separate boat accident off the Egyptian port of Alexandria claimed the lives of at least 12 migrants.

Egyptian security officials said 116 people, mostly Palestinians and Syrians, were pulled from the water.

Budget cuts

Mr Muscat said prompt action between Malta and Italy had saved lives, but he complained that the rest of Europe had supplied only “empty talk”.

“I don’t know how many more people need to die at sea before something gets done,” he said.

“Rules need to change, whether they are tighter or looser is not the issue, the fact is that this thing is broken and it needs to be fixed.

“As things stand we are building a cemetery within our Mediterranean Sea.”

After last week’s tragedy off Lampedusa the European Commission called for the EU to launch Mediterranean-wide search and rescue patrols to intercept migrant boats.

The EU’s Frontex border agency, set up in 2004, has seen its budget cut from 118m euros (£100m; $160m) in 2011 to 85m euros in 2013.

Italy has previously appealed to EU states for help in coping with the thousands of illegal migrants who wash up on its shores every year.

Our correspondent says European leaders face a quandary as they struggle to balance political pressures to restrict migrant numbers with the need to assist those desperate enough to risk such a perilous journey.

‘Sadness and anxiety’

Lampedusa, 120km off the North African coast, is a key destination for migrant vessels bound for Europe.

Tens of thousands attempt the crossing to Lampedusa, Sicily and other Italian islands each year.

The latest rescue operation swung into action after the Maltese air force spotted the boat and alerted Italian naval vessels still in the area after last Thursday’s disaster.

Helicopters were used to lift many to safety but nightfall hampered the rescue operation.

At least 33 people were confirmed dead, with one report estimating the death toll at 50.

Mr Muscat’s office said 147 survivors had been picked up by a Maltese patrol boat and were being taken to Malta. Another 56 had been saved by Italian crews.

The prime minister said the dead included three small children.

Cecilia Malmstrom, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, praised the swift Italian and Maltese rescue effort, which she said had helped reduce the potential death toll.

She said in a statement that she was following the operation with “sadness and anxiety”.

“These new horrible events are happening while we still have the shocking images of the tragedy in Lampedusa in our minds,” she added.

October 12, 2013
Turkey won’t join EU in near future

Column by Alex Shaner

The European Union (EU) has become one of the most prominent multilateral and regional governmental institutions of all time.

Citing collective defense, economic, social, political and environmental concerns, 28 states have banded together since the end of World War II to create a lasting forum for economic and political collaboration on a level not currently seen.

With the formation of a common currency, the Euro, the EU always has been looking for further interests and expansion of membership and ideals.

With this lucrative organization, many states are seeking membership and the benefits that come with such a membership.

One country in particular, Turkey, has been negotiating membership since the late 1960s.

Can Turkey complete the membership requirements and more importantly, will it be a “fit” within the EU?

I believe Turkey would make an excellent addition to shakeup the very “stuffy” EU.

However, with the current system of membership and the geo-political differences, Turkey will not be admitted for the foreseeable future for a variety of reasons.

Location, location, location. While several states including Cyprus lie beyond geographical Europe, Turkey’s geographic importance is not continental.

While it is true that Turkey is technically in Europe, only one-fourth of the country is located “in Europe.”

Geography does not always equate membership, however, in an “European” Union, it would make sense to actually be in Europe, or at least a majority.

Being on the same continent allows states to share common security concerns, environmental impacts and sense of a shared fate in collective decisions of the continent.

Second, there is a tremendous difference in culture between Turkey and the rest of the EU. An obvious difference, religion, can determine morals, political positions and cultural continuity between members.

The predominant religion in Europe, Christianity, allows for similar moral and ethical positions between the states.

While there are sizable Islam and Hindu populations within Europe, they are concentrated in urban areas and are not the majority of the population, as well as the governing beliefs as in the Church of England, for example.

This is not to say just because the majority of Turkey practices Islam, that it cannot be in the EU.

Several of the requirements within the “Chapters” of membership call for religious tolerance and freedom of expression, which currently is a problem within Turkey’s civil rights.

Besides the previous reasons, the membership process is quite lengthy, and the candidate’s status is defined into 35 chapters.

All of these areas must be completed and the guidelines met in order to be granted membership.

Out of the 35 chapters, Turkey has completed one.

Only 15 chapters are currently open, and most of them became open in 2007. The chapters range from science and technology, freedoms and liberties, free movement of capital and environmental sustainability.

These issues specifically with governing will take years for Turkey to make some effort.

While the EU can benefit from cultural diversity, the current political situation in Turkey and the lack of progress on the application process, the accession of Turkey to the EU will not happen for the foreseeable future if at all.

Shaner is a senior international relations and politics double major and can be reached at alexander.shaner@drake.edu

via Turkey won’t join EU in near future.

October 11, 2013
Rape in Sweden

Bu site Müslüman Göçmenlerin 2013 yılında 300 isveçli çocuğa tecavüz ettiğini yazarak nefret uyandırmaya çalışıyor. Haberin orijinalinde Müslüman göçmenlerden bahsetmiyor. İsveç’de yaşayan üyelerimiz haberin aslını iletebilirler mi?

False News at http://sheikyermami.com/rape-in-sweden-sex-slaves-in-turkey/

Muslim immigrants raped over 300 Swedish children in seven months of 2013

In the first seven months of 2013, over 1,000 Swedish women reported being raped by Muslim immigrants. Over 300 of those were under the age of 15. The number of rapes is up 16% compared to 2012 numbers.–From Swedish Public Radio…

Haberin Orijinali – Source of the news

Allt fler unga flickor anmäler våldtäkt

Publicerat: torsdag 8 augusti kl 13:42 , Nyheter P4 Radio Stockholm

Antalet anmälda våldtäkter ökar med 16 procent i Stockholms län. Foto: Heiko Junge/Scanpix NORGE

Antalet polisanmälningar om våldtäkt i Stockholms län har ökat med 16 procent hittills i år. En stor del av ökningen gäller våldtäkt av unga flickor.

Det är Brottsförebyggande Rådet, BRÅ, som tagit fram statistik som publiceras idag.

Drygt 1 000 våldtäkter har anmälts i länet under årets första sju månader.

En stor del av ökningen gäller våldtäkter av flickor under 15 år.

Enligt BRÅ har polisen i länet fått in 300 sådana anmälningar hittills i år.

October 10, 2013
Turkey questions its EU future as Brussels looks to Balkans

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan gestures during the Istanbul Conference of the Ministry For EU Affairs in Istanbul June 7, 2013. Turkey must investigate whether police used excessive force in a crackdown on days of anti-government demonstrations and hold those responsible to account, European Union enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele said on Friday. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY – Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS)

03 OCTOBER 2013

Turkey has been trying for years to join the European Union, presenting itself as a growing economic and political power and a bridge to Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

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But the next country to join the EU’s existing 28 members is more likely to be one of six small Balkan countries, five of which still formed part of Yugoslavia when Turkey made its first membership bid.

Several powerful EU states are reluctant to open the door to a large, mainly Muslim country, even a member of the NATO Western military alliance, fearing a troublesome integration whereas small countries have a track record of smooth accession.

While the EU focuses its attention elsewhere, the Turkish government and public are increasingly despondent and have started to wonder whether it really needs Europe after all.

“I guess that nobody wants to say that we are not going to continue with the accession process, neither the EU nor Turkey,” said Turkey’s ambassador to the EU, Selim Yenel, speaking at a Brussels think-tank in September.

“But there will be one day in which we will have to decide on what to do about it, because this is going nowhere.”

Joining the EU can bring the benefits of easy access to the world’s largest trading bloc, free movement of workers, funding for poorer regions and infrastructure and the chance to belong to a relatively stable political union.

Over the next decade or so, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, Bosnia and Kosovo may all be able to take advantage of those perks, following Slovenia and Croatia to a spot on the members’ list.

Meanwhile Turkey’s membership bid has been virtually frozen for three years, held back by political obstacles and resistance in some EU countries, including Germany, France and Austria.

Support for EU membership among the Turkish public fell to 44 percent this year from 73 percent in 2004, according to a recent German Marshall Fund report.

Ankara’s chief EU negotiator Egemen Bagis said last month his country would probably never join the EU because of the attitudes of the bloc’s existing members.

GEOGRAPHY

A senior official with direct knowledge of enlargement discussions said EU leaders were not focused on Turkey which would be the most populous member, giving it the largest share of seats in the European Parliament and influence across Europe’s institutions.

via Turkey questions its EU future as Brussels looks to Balkans – Independent.ie.

October 4, 2013