Only Turkey recognises Northern Cyprus but the EU regards the whole of the island of Cyprus as part of the EU. The reunification of Cyprus seems very unlikely and without it how can Turkey join the EU? The only other thing I can think of would be for Northern Cyprus to have full international recognition and to also become a member of the EU which seems even less likely. Or am I missing something?
Anonymous
Turkey's attempt to be a European power ended with the Ottoman Empire. It is now an Asian nation which has benefitted much from its European contacts but which has found its true place as an enlightened near-eastern country which is well placed to lead that region to a peaceful and prosperous future.
The EU is a European Union and a natural ally of Turkey but, as its name makes clear, it is European, not Asian. The question of Cyprus is largely irrelevant in the greater scheme of things. Some politicians proposed Turkish membership of the EU for reasons which had nothing to do with European union. When the people of Europe have had a chance to pass judgement on the policy, the answer has always been that Turkey does not belong in Europe.
As we are seeing in Greece, European union is in essence a popular movement from below, not a structure imposed from above. When hard decisions have to be made the people of the EU overwhelmingly support the union and want to see it remain European.
Turkey has generally done well economically in the last few decades and should continue to prosper so long as it pursues positive regional policies such as bringing peace to Syria and working out a solution to the region's Kurdish question. Turkey holds the key to a peaceful and prosperous Near East: the European invitation was a misconception on the part of some European politicians, a mistake on the part of some Turkish politicians and a non-starter with the the overwhelming majority of the EU's citizens. Turkey is a fine country and can have a brilliant future as a leading light in its part of Asia. The issue of Cyprus is equivalent in importance to Spain's possession of Ceuta. Spain is European, not African; and Turkey is Asian, not European.
alan P
I can see that there are many reasons why people dont like the idea of Turkey being a member of the EU but isnt Cyprus the awkwark elephant in the room that is going to form the ultimate stumbling block