by Stanley Courage Dugah

Created on: August 14, 2009   Last Updated: September 17, 2009

The Plain Truth about Turkey 's Bid to Become an EU Member

One significant reason many analyst have attributed to the EU's delay (50 years) in accepting Turkey as a member is that it is more of an Asian country than a European Country and therefore doesn't qualify to be a member of the European Union.

Located between Europe and Asia, 97% of Turkey 's geographical area (Anatolia) lies in Asia while the other 3% lies in Europe . And this is without doubt one reason why a number of European Union members (including France , Austria and Germany ) are very much against the idea of Turkey becoming a member of the EU.

Although very much westernized and looking more like a European nation than a country in Asia, Turkey is still by her geographical position, an Asian nation.

Another reason which may account for the ongoing delay by the EU in accepting Turkey into it corridors is that which has to do with religion.

Turkey is largely a Muslim country and as such will seem odd as a member of the EU. It's interesting to note that all the current members of the EU are largely Christian dominated countries though they have citizens who practice other religions.

The treaties and constitutions establishing the European Union also made it clear that its official religion will be Christianity. It therefore makes sense when some EU members refuse to support Turkey 's bid to become an EU member, doesn't it? It's only a child who will argue that religious beliefs have nothing to do with a country becoming member of the European Union.

Turkey 's Bid: What It Will Mean for the Region

Many political analysts have argued that accepting Turkey into the EU will improve things in the Middle East and even pave the way for the Western World and Israel to become friends with Islamic States such as Iraq , Palestine , and even Iran .

Although this argument sound sensible and ear pleasing, I personally consider it as being off target. An honest and critical research into Middle East history and current affairs will reveal the fact that Turkey becoming a member of the European Union will not have much effect in the region, save the benefits that Turkey will derive from being a member of the Union and what the EU will also get back from her in terms of trade and socio-economic development.

Moreover, most Middle East groupings such as Hamas and Hezbollah alongside Iran (which is the biggest player in the Middle East) don't have much in common with Turkey. It will therefore be very safe to argue that the possibility of Turkey becoming a member of the EU is very remote and even if it does become a member, her membership won't have much effect in the Middle East and Europe.

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