by Marina Shemesh

Created on: August 17, 2009   Last Updated: December 28, 2009

Turkey's bid to become an EU member: What will it mean for the region?

Turkey's inclusion to the EU will be advantageous to both parties. Turkey has applied to become part of the European Union since 1987 and yet ascencion negotiations have not been settled.

Some member countries especially Austria, France and Germany are against Turkey becoming part of the EU. A few of the reasons that are mentioned is that Turkey is not part of Europe but Asia. The Turkish people are also predominantly Muslim and not Christian.

Other objections are that they are not as sophisticated and educated as their European counterparts, they abuse the human rights of the Kurdish people and they refuse to give back the northern half of Cyprus.

By becoming part of the EU, Turkey is going to have to work on their human right issues and settle the Cyprus problem once and for all. They might even be forced to acknowledge and apologize for the Armenian Holocaust.

These actions will do good to the way that Turkey is received in the eyes of the Europeans. It may also in a way force the Turkish government to grow up, bring all of it's people into the 21st century and become a leader in the Middle East.

Having moderate Muslim country like Turkey as a member can be advantageous to the EU. Turkey is in a unique position (both in a religious and geographical sense) of being a bridge between Europe and the countries of the Middle East.

Israel have a good relationship with Turkey, even though their Prime Minister criticized Israeli military actions, and is considered by many countries in the Middle East as a peace broker. A strong Turkey, backed by it's fellow members in the EU could lead to a peaceful Middle East and a huge potential market.

The size of Turkey may also be offputting, but if Turkey joins the EU, Europe will gain a huge advantage over China, Russia and India. The work force in Europe is getting older. Many illegal workers from Africa are finding work in positions that can be filled just as easy by legal Turkish workers.

There are fears that Europe will be overrun by illegal workers or be easily accessed by terrorists from Turkey. These scenarios are however even more likely to occur if Turkey is not allowed to join the EU and the necessary controls and checks are not in place.

The Turkish people ruled a wide range of people in many countries during the time of the Ottoman empire. By accepting Turkey's bid to become an EU member Europe may just become the world's next super power.

Turkey's ascension to the European Union will benefit both parties. Turkey may have waited patiently for a long time to be accepted, but the wait will be soon over.

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