Actually, the northwestern portion of Turkey (the small triangle of land north of the Sea of Marmara) is already part of Europe.

I always thought Turkey was Eurpoean...

Only to eat at Christmas.

I'm pretty sure they're not currently in the EU because of more than just the fact that it's a mostly Muslim country...

what's wrong with thurkey? and the question os badly phrased, europe is a continent, the european union is a horrendously disorgansied and pedantic group of countries

drat NO!!

Yes, Turkey is a country that needs tremendous help, the EU could do a lot of good there.

Turkey being Muslim is not a reason stopping the EU, if anything that is actually helping their cause... what is hurting them is their poverty and human rights, they have to bring the country up to the EU code.

lol i could care less

Always good to know you care Ang....

I agree with bogchump.

MMmmmm..yeah more feta, dates and olives imported!

"Actually, the northwestern portion of Turkey (the small triangle of land north of the Sea of Marmara) is already part of Europe."

Part of the continent perhaps, but not part of the European Union.

Definitely not! Turkey has a horrendous record of treating minorities (Kurdish), and the EU membership will just be a affirmation of the indifference of European nations towards it.

Besides, it would merely work as a 'gateway' country for terrorists from the middle east who wish to pull of attacks in western Europe.

I agree with Markb84 on the first part. I don't believe they were genuinly incline to abolish death penalty (mandatory if you want to be part of the EU). And they have a bad track record for human rights.

No way. Thanks but no thanks.

I'm not sure. There is for and against. Mainly against.

"I agree with Markb84 on the first part. I don't believe they were genuinly incline to abolish death penalty (mandatory if you want to be part of the EU). And they have a bad track record for human rights."

True as that may be, my understanding of the situation was that the EU was mainly concerned that turkey would be a financial/economic drain.

"MMmmmm..yeah more feta, dates and olives imported!"

Feta is a pure Greek Cheese.

http://www.american.edu/projects/mandala...
http://greekproducts.com/greekproducts/f...

I'm somewhat against it. The current state of democracy and human rights in Turkey is quite poor compared to that of other members of the EU. Furthermore, with a population of almost 69 million, Turkey would become the second biggest member, which would grant it a tremendous amount of power.

Well if they meet the requirements set by the EU then why would they be against it?

I don't think that the Greeks or the Cypriots will allow them to enter. They Greek Cypriots made that clear. They will boycot every time the Turks ask for entry and as long as one country doesn't want them to enter they won't.

Not with their human rights records

I already thought Turkey was part of Europe. No wonder I failed geography...

I'm happy to have Turkey join the EU as soon as its human rights record is up to scratch.

'No way. Thanks but no thanks.'
Said like a true Greek, angeleyes.
Back to the question, Turkey should improve their human rights record first but it shouldn't make a difference that its a mainly Muslim country.