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Composition 1: English 101 W2010-9529.008

The European Union’s Impending Admission of Turkey: A Risk Worth Taking

Nicola Petrini-Elvy

Phillip Barnhart

March 5, 2010
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The European Union’s impending admission of Turkey: A risk worth taking

The European Union was created in 1957 in order to strengthen economically and offer

peace and protection to originally 25 countries. Throughout the decades after the formation the

Union has had strong opposition from its original members due to increasing expansion and

high unemployment rates with the introduction of poorer migrant workers. On the other hand

countries like Turkey that have suffered great economic woes see the upside of being a part of

the Union and look for prosperity and a uniform government. If Turkey is fully admitted into

the European Union, it may cause strong opposition because of their history of being unstable,

poor, less educated, an aggressive military and most importantly a predominately Muslim

country. Dimitris Kerdis in his article, “Turkey’s Journey into Europe”, feels that Turkey can

turn this opposition in its favor by not dwelling on the negatives but looking to the future and its

willingness to cooperate with all of the nations involved. Turkey will find strong opposition

from strong nationalists and isolationist to its full admission to the European Union due to deep

rooted prejudice and anxiety towards terrorism linked to Islamic countries.

Surprisingly, Turkey became an associate member of the European Union over four

decades ago. Finally in 2005 they were invited to begin the process of becoming a full member

which could take about 10 years to become a reality. This is a great accomplishment that

overcomes the tarnished history of Europe and Turkey. Turkey has a stained history of

violating human rights, having a secularist government and most importantly a Muslim country

which causes anxiety to those oppose their full admission into the European Union. Apparently,

over the years with the United States becoming involved, Turkey has shown more European

traits in its political and foreign policies, which may assist in stabilizing the volatile Middle East

because they would not just be seen as another Muslim country. Turkey must realize that they
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must turn the tables in their favor and not feel that they will negotiate with the European

Union’s laws but truly realize that this is a mere political process that they must adopt, not

change.

Overall, the article points out the challenge the European Union needs to address with its

impending admission of Turkey into the Federation. The underlying connotations of race,

culture and religion build a stronger case for reform and compromise. Currently Europe is

dealing with a large influx of Northern Africans and Sub-Saharan Africans, who are

experiencing strong racial prejudice and opposition due to being Muslim. This situation

currently relates to the same situation the United States is facing with the problem of

immigration and the cultural and economic impact it currently has and will have in the future.

Turkey will have an uphill battle not just because of its Muslim culture, but it has a large

population that is extremely poor, uneducated and used to be isolated by many countries in the

European Union. They have to think of themselves as Mexico trying to become part of the

United States of America and look back on the entire backlash they have faced with

immigration issues, Turkey has to rise to the occasion and prove how they will complement the

contemporary European Union.

Europe over the decades has held steadfast with a very elitist attitude with the original

seven members because of their sustained wealth and power before the Union was formed.

Decades have passed, and the climate of the region changed due to migration, shift of labor

focus, opposition to change and lack of cultural intelligence. Europeans should learn how

integration works from their own history of coming to the United States, and the problems that

faced certain minorities of that region also. The idea of the Union admitting Turkey will be a

turning point for the world, because it may help diminish the deep rooted fear and
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misconceptions of Muslim cultures, and moreover bring the European Union into a more

dynamic and effective force economically and politically worldwide.

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Sources Cited

Jost, K. (2005, October 28). Future of the European Union. Retrieved 02 22, 2010, from CQ

Researcher: http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre2005102800

Keridis, Dimitris, “Turkey's Journey Into Europe,” The Boston Globe, Oct. 13, 2005, p. A13.