A very small part of Turkey
lies on Europe:to be exact,only one prefecture of a total of 80.But the real problems of the Turkish candidancy are elsewhere:The most critical is the continuous intervention of the armed forces in the political processes.The turkish army,since Ataturk's era keeps for itself the role of the patron of the secular state and has made two coup d' etats only in the recent 20 years.Rumors for another one circulated for months just before the recent elections.
Another issue is that
Turkey remains more or less a police state.Journalist prosecutions,imprisonments and assasinations are not rare.Most newspapers and television networks have to compromise with the official point of view,else they are blacklisted by
committees of the ubiquitus Armed forces as "unturkish"
And last but not least ,Turkey insists on the menace of "casus belli" at a member of the European Union (Greece)while keeping an occupational Army of 120000 on another EU member,Cyprus

Panos , Thessaloniki, Greece

Josef Adams, WAKE UP!!!

You said "Half of Turkey is in Europe the other half is in the east." Please, don't forget that modern half of Turkey in Europe was Greek territory in recent past. It has been occupied forcedly by Turkish Empire.

And it seems that you're in Dark Ages. You maintains liberal position ignoring national interests. The last must be took into account in the first place!

The Union must be suppurted by identical cultures, religion (it means Europe is as a Christian civilization) and mentalities of Europeans, not only by request of any state like Turkey. But if you're against this let's China join the EU as soon as possible!

Vital Zanka, Miensk, Belarus

Only 2% of Turkey's landmass is in Europe, and probably even less of its population. More serious is the oppression of its ethnic minorities - foremost the Kurds, whose culture is severely repressed but also the few Armenians who remain. Similarly non-Muslim religions are discriminated against. Poland and Slovakia show us that unless the democratic process is deeply integrated there will be backsliding post EU admission. Bulgaria and Romania too were admitted too soon and remain corrupt. If the EU is to be an area of peace, democracy and prosperity don't let us make the same mistake with a country as big as Turkey.

FRANCIS DEUTSCH, SAFFRON WALDEN, U.K.

There could be a good case for arguing that former Soviet republics have little in common with Western Europe, nevertheless these have been admitted. It seems that there is generally only one condition a country needs to fulfil inorder to gain EU membership: whether of not it is a going to be a nice market expansion for good and services.
The folks who go on about W Europe being a 'Christian' Europe are deluded. Europe is more secular than ever, but the fact that this culture clashes with the Islamic-based culture of Turkey remains. Take for example the recent Turkish protests in the Netherlands (probably unreported), whenever does the sizable Suriname population gather into an unruly protest over the corrupt governance in Suriname?
The problems with Muslims in Europe is they don't know where to put an allegiance.

Roger van de Velde, The Hague, Netherlands

Peter have you looked at a globe/map lately?
Half of Turkey is in Europe the other half is in the east.

If Turkey is not in Europe geographically nor should Cyprus or Greece.

I think Turkey would be good for europe, yes there are some issues but these will be fixed in time.
Turkey should also stay secular, religion is no place in politics as it is the cause of war?

Because one religion believes god in one way and the other inanother way people are willing to eliminate each other for it;

WAKE UP PEOPLE we are not in the Dark ages.
People are people and I hope one day for the greater good we can all agree to this.

Also for you havent experienced turkey i suggest you take a trip and see how modern it is

Josef Adams, London, England

At least David of Bristol was honest. All these really goes down on one fact and one fact only: Turkey is a majority Muslim country.. Sarkozy is busy foaming his mouth citing about Turkey's lack of this and that, trying not to say the real reason.

Agus, Surabaya, Indonesia

Why sould Turkey need EU ?Turkey dont need Europe what for PLEASE !!!!!!!!!! but they need us more then we are what is TRUE WAY ? only travel to see Europe diffrent life OK !! but not live there because they not friendly with muslims !!!!!!!!!!!!!! to know that you have to travel EU what is like really?..............We have better and Qualty life.....European just want make there money move to sun and food enjoy life ,just like what ve have god give us thank you GOD !!!...

Murat, Izmir, Turkey

Turkey has never been an European state. It has been an agressive pro-Ismalic Empire which occupied others nations. Yet, nowadays Turkey doesn't bring in a verdict of guilty in commited genocides and occupations of foreign territories. Furthermore, the one imposes Islam in Europe (building of big mosques in Germany and etc)...
Please, say me with which word is Europe associated? Right! Christianity. The civilization of Christianity. Now Europe must defend her Christian civilization with Solidarity. But what does we see? Brussels lets strangers in Europe. This visitors don't respect an European culture, religion and civilization. {And inevitable consequences of this are problems with non-White immigrants in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and other countries.}
So! The result is that the EU refuse its sameness through Christianity. The West European politician have carried the idea of the EU to an absurdity joining non-Christian state -- Turkey. ;)

Vital Zanka, Miensk, Belarus

This one should be a no-brainer:
Turkey is NOT European,
Turkey is NOT in Europe,
Turkey does not share European values, culture or traditions,
SO.... Turkey should NEVER be allowed in the EU.
or have we all missed something in Europe Uncle Sam?

Peter Goddard, Epsom, England, EU.

Regarding Turkey's EU bid to become a menber needless to say, it would be suicidal for Europe to incorporate the nation of Turkey within its structures.
Turkey has serious internal domestic issues with its Kurdish population and resurging islamic fundamentalists.
Furthermore Turkey has serious geo-political problems with virtually everyone of it's neighbors, I do not belive tha European Nations are so stupid as to turn these Turkish "terminal ailments into European ones.

Christos, Athens, Greece

------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am Turkish and I would like to thank you for all your comments. It is an honor to be an evil but unifying entity for you all! I think you should resolve your own differences first and then worry about accepting anyone to your union.

Nobody owns or have a right to claim the standards of civility.

And when you have a chance, check the description of "history". If we are going to hold history as a way to judge each other, then we can as well imprison the children of criminals.

If you don't want Turkey, it will not join your union. It is really that simple.

Mehmet, Izmir, Turkey

With the most backward economy in Europe Albania is a candidate. Cyprus which is South of Turkey, further from Europe,is now a member of EU, Romania with is a member state which its citizens are flooding the EU for work, but Turkey cannot ??
While Turkey still needs to improve its economy and change some laws it still is an educated entity with a good economy.
It is xenophobic, islamiphobic to put real obstacles on its acceptance to European Union. It is one thing to put some high standards to force Turkey make advance to reach that goal while it is not fair to keep putting all kinds of obstacles just to prevent its being a full member of EU!

Moshe Haviv/Istanbul-Tel Aviv

Moshe Haviv, Tel Aviv, Israel

Before Turkey joins the EU, first let it allow to distribute bibles freely and let chritians practise their religion and build the churches freely just as muslims deliver korans freely and build the mosques freely in the EU countries. Otherwise let it never be a member of the EU. I love the policy of 'an eye for an eye.'

Star D

Stara D, London, UK

Turkey has a history of aggression, militarism and genocide. It still has an illegal army of occupation in Cyprus. It was clearly offered the possibility of joining the E.U. because of pressure from the U.S.A., who want to use the air corridor into Iraq.
Europe ends at the Bosporus. We should never entertain the prospect of Turkey within the E.U.

Michael, Aston Clinton Bucks, England

you European ,do u think actually you are excellent people?first of all,u must solve your discriminatıons problems against migrants,Muslıms and black people.(especially u frenchs.)

in truth ,we dont need to be accepted this union but we just only want to make culturel mosaic;this is our target ,nevertheless like everytime you accuse to us with nonsense subjects.

ıf you imagine to live more comfort and free,firstly you should get your prejudgement out of and try to trust.

if there will be anyone who discuss this ıssue,u can sen me from this adress:kaptanzafer_32@hotmail.com

kaptanzafer, Ä°STANBUL, TURKEY

The beginning of the end of the EU "as we know it" is well underway. The second largest real religion in Europe is Islam, trailing on secularism. The demographics of these two groups are well-known and fatal to secularism.

David, Philadelphia, USA

I just want to say one thing to the below valuable commentators..

WE AS TURK NEVER WANT TO JOIN EU!...these are just a strategy..we are at the top during the ottoman emperor and were fighting agains all of you.non of you could beat us and send out from the europe..now its your turn...but be sure that our turn will come soon....

Tufan Sahin, Ä°stanbul, Turkey

i dont think that turkey will be rejected on the basis of their religion, however if they are to stand any chance of being accepted then they will have to update their free speech policy and assure europe that there days of violence and occupation are over, and i think that will be there hinderence.

Cahir, Dublin, Ireland

I have just read the above comments and I am shocked and appalled. First things first, I am of no religion but as an educated person I know that comments like David's just fuel this perception that the EU is a 'Christian Club'. Might I suggest that it is grossly inaccurate to suggest that wars around the world are fuelled by Muslim fundamentalists. Clearly you are forgetting the many terrorist factions operating around the world who are certainly not associated with Islam. Secondly your statement suggests that Turkey (or even the rest of the 1.3 billion Muslims) have something to do with these wars. It might be wise to learn that Turkey's Religious leanings differ greatly from that of Iran say. Must I remind you of the problems in the recent Turkish election. I would also add on the issue of Cyprus, one might want to get the Turkish Cypriot perspective who freely celebrate the invasion on July 22 every year. It saved their lives. Lets get all the facts and give Turkey a fair chance.

Erman Hassan, Essex, UK

At the very first meeting held to decide on Turkey's application for entry to the EU, Gul, then Foreign Minister, kept everyone waiting for hours while he took a mid-day nap. This is itself shows the arrogance of the country. Who else could make the US withdraw their bill on genocide of the Armenians by threatening to attack Irak's Kurdish border? Turkey is a loose cannon and if they become the majority vote in the EU they will bully other more peaceful members. David, Bristol: don't be so certain an EU referendum will go against them. There are many Turks dispersed in the EU who have not been organised until now through lack of education. This is about to change.

SuzyD, Paris,

As a British expat living in Athens, I must say I'm more than relieved by the number of your British correspondents at last agreeing with president Sarkozy. I really can't understand the position of the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office at present on a number of issues, particularly Turkey. Like the Americans, we Brits are continually losing friends because of our zany international policies. In relation to Turkey, I have been one of the NYNEs (Not Yet Not Ever) now for a long time. Turkey currently occupies a part of the EU militarily (northern Cyprus), buzzes Greek aeroplanes over the Aegean islands where many Brits holiday in the summer (A Greek pilot lost his life in a mock dog fight recently), imprisons its writers and bombs a neighbour (Iraq). Most ironically, the UK's strong support for Turkey's accession to the EU will eventually result in the rest of the EU saying: "If you want Turkey in, you pay for it". Bang goes the rest of Mrs Thatcher's bucks: 13 million of them!

Dr David Green, Athens, Greece

I find it astounding that countries which have been invaded and occupied in the past, and which today put war criminals on trial, are so eager to get Turkey into the EU. They scornfully sweep under the carpet Turkey's 1974 invasion and occupation of Cyprus, and show stunning indifference to the war crimes which followed and are protracted until today. I can hear the howls - what war crimes? Well, how about the murder of prisoners of war who were filmed in Turkish prisons but have never been seen since; ethnic cleansing of the whole of northern Cyprus;drastically changing the demographic character of the country by importing illegal immigrants from Turkey;denying the most basic human rights of the evicted population;keeping a whole town (Famagusta) empty of its legal population for 33 years;usurping and selling land owned by the evicted population; The list goes on, but many turn a blind eye.

Ronald E. Watts, Nicosia, Cyprus

'Population growth would probably make Turkey the EU’s largest member if it joins, as it hopes, by 2020'
and consequently give them the largest voice inside the EU Parliament and Commission.


'... and give the Community borders with Syria, Iran and Iraq' which in itself is reason enough to keep Turkey out: there is no way they could have proper border controls over this huge area.

With the appointment of Gul as president the ban on headscarves in schools was recently removed. It won't be long before young Turkish girls will be 'encouraged' to follow Gul's wife's example and return 'voluntarily' to wearing it.

Thank heavens for Sarkozy!

SuzyD, Paris,

I don't understand why this should be an issue. If there were to be a referendum, about 70% of EU citizens would reject Turkey's application for EU membership. Is this not reason enough? What sort of place has the EU become that it never listens to its members?

Samuel Young, Paris, France

Thank goodness for that. For a moment there I thought someone would let Turkey into the EU....

Peter, Portsmouth, UK

There are still many obsticles in the way of Turkish assession; the main one being Islam. The EU is a stable entity which has been succsessfull in keeping peace in Europe. But if we add over 70 million muslims this will be a recipe for disaster. Wars througout the world are fuelled by muslim fundermentalists. I believe an EU wide referendum needs to be taken before Turkey joins the EU. I believe that if Turkey achieves full membership, it will be the beggining of the end for the EU as we know it.

David , Bristol,