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> Turkey is formally in (suspended) membership negotiations and a major discussion point was that most of its land area is not on the European continent. Would

by jopsen 2y ago

> Turkey is formally in (suspended) membership negotiations and a major discussion point was that most of its land area is not on the European continent. Would the that be a discussion point if Turkey had a well functioning democracy? Solid economics? Didn't have the death penalty? Found some sort of resolution to conflicts on its borders?

kamikazeturtles 2y ago
> Turkey had a well functioning democracy Turkey has a functioning democracy it's just that most of the population loves populist rhetoric. Erdogan's party lost mayoral elections in all the major cities. > Solid economics Turkey had a GDP PPP of $3.45 trillion in 2024 (12th in the world) > Didn't have the death penalty Turkey doesn't have the death penalty. > Found some sort of resolution to conflicts on its borders The conflict in Syria is resolved in Turkey's favor. The potential conflict with Greece is a different issue though. I don't think Turkey's EU application being in limbo is because of whatever excuse EU politicians can conjure up at any moment in time. It's because Turkey, if accepted into the EU, would be the most populous country, the biggest country by landmass, the most powerful country militarily, and the youngest country in the EU. Turkish agriculture and manufacturing would be a lot more competitive compared to EU products.
- int_19h 2y ago
  > The conflict in Syria is resolved in Turkey's favor. Is it? The SDF is still there, and was always one of the biggest reasons why Turkey got involved. Now, that one, Turkey might still resolve yet... but if it does, that will likely come in form of another genocide. Which would hardly improve its chances of getting acceptance.
- jopsen 2y ago
  High population with low GDP per capita. Turkey certainly has some economic issues with inflation, etc. Yes, Turkey has democracy, but what was the coup thing going on a few years back? ---- But yes, high population == more votes, could also be a concern. But maybe in a few decades the EU will have labour shortages and willing to take on a new challenge, who knows? :)
gmueckl 2y ago
I don't have answers for your questions. My wording is also imprecise. I only meant to say that I remember that the location of Turkey was used as an argument against starting membership negotiations when that was deliberated within the EU.

by jopsen 2y ago

kamikazeturtles 2y ago

> Turkey had a well functioning democracy Turkey has a functioning democracy it's just that most of the population loves populist rhetoric. Erdogan's party lost mayoral elections in all the major cities. > Solid economics Turkey had a GDP PPP of $3.45 trillion in 2024 (12th in the world) > Didn't have the death penalty Turkey doesn't have the death penalty. > Found some sort of resolution to conflicts on its borders The conflict in Syria is resolved in Turkey's favor. The potential conflict with Greece is a different issue though. I don't think Turkey's EU application being in limbo is because of whatever excuse EU politicians can conjure up at any moment in time. It's because Turkey, if accepted into the EU, would be the most populous country, the biggest country by landmass, the most powerful country militarily, and the youngest country in the EU. Turkish agriculture and manufacturing would be a lot more competitive compared to EU products.

int_19h 2y ago
> The conflict in Syria is resolved in Turkey's favor. Is it? The SDF is still there, and was always one of the biggest reasons why Turkey got involved. Now, that one, Turkey might still resolve yet... but if it does, that will likely come in form of another genocide. Which would hardly improve its chances of getting acceptance.
jopsen 2y ago
High population with low GDP per capita. Turkey certainly has some economic issues with inflation, etc. Yes, Turkey has democracy, but what was the coup thing going on a few years back? ---- But yes, high population == more votes, could also be a concern. But maybe in a few decades the EU will have labour shortages and willing to take on a new challenge, who knows? :)

gmueckl 2y ago

I don't have answers for your questions. My wording is also imprecise. I only meant to say that I remember that the location of Turkey was used as an argument against starting membership negotiations when that was deliberated within the EU.