Why Turkish business needs the EU

Daily Star (Lebanon) ^ | Saturday, September 25, 2004 | Michael Glackin

[SunkenCiv]

Following Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ill-conceived warning to the EU to stay out of Turkish affairs, the financial markets issued their own warning as the value of Turkish lira plunged along with the stock market. Erdogan took note. His assurance Thursday that the new penal code would not include a controversial clause criminalizing adultery finally gave the market cause for cheer... The wider row over Turkish membership in the EU club has so far incorporated history, race, religion and human rights, and last week adultery was added to the list... The business community desperately wants EU membership since it will provide access to European capital and markets. But more importantly, membership will also provide the business community with much needed predictability in what is an historically turbulent economy.

[SunkenCiv]

The EU has been leading Turkey around with the promise of EU membership since circa 1960. I think this is just another stall. Turkey is not wanted by certain important members, and while it is probably certain that someday, eventually, Turkey will be welcomed in, now is not the time that it will happen, IMHO.

George W. Bush will be reelected by a margin of at least ten per cent

[SunkenCiv]

EU Rebuff Would Affect Ties With Turkey: Turkish PM
Agence France Presse ^ | Sunday, September 12, 2004 | correspondent
Posted on 09/12/2004 7:13:34 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1214238/posts

[SunkenCiv]

I'm sure this Turkish rally is unrelated to this:

Strategic reasons for Turkish EU membership 'unconvincing', says study
by Honor Mahony
10.11.2004

Reported in Die Welt, the study by the East-European Studies Institute says that because Turkish membership of the EU will bring little economic benefit, the emphasis of the discussion has shifted instead to the strategic benefits... It also criticises claims by the German government that a democratic Turkey could be a shining example to Islamic states in the Middle East as "difficult to understand". The study has been picked up by opposition Christian Democrat politicians - who favour Turkey having a 'privileged partnership' with the EU rather than full membership. Bavaria's Europe minister Eberhard Sinner (CSU) said that the study should be "required reading for every head of state and government in Europe".

[SunkenCiv]

Poll shows UK big business against EU Constitution
EU Observer ^ | January 10 2005 | Richard Carter
Posted on 01/12/2005 7:52:26 PM PST by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1319692/posts