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Turkey's striving - Europe's concerns: Trend News commentator

Politics Materials 18 May 2009 15:56 (UTC +04:00)

Polad Hamidov, Trend commentator 

Turkey's attempts for European integration once again arouse the issue of historical confrontation between the West and East.

The Super Powers pursue world policy and seek to spread their civilized influence beyond the Europe.

Europe has faced a serious problem in case of Turkey. Moreover, Turkey has a strong statehood and large army. The country promotes its culture and religion, which is totally different from the European one, across the world.

Islam and Eastern culture turned out to be more attractive for the Western inhabitants. It gives ground to suggest that Turkey is confident that it will preserve its civilization once the country integrates to the European Union and Europe already has ground to be concerned.

So, the EU can not admit Turkey as it is since the organization is not able to "swallow" it. Turkey has been tied in a bungle and the nature of Europe's existence depends on untying this bungle to a great degree. Turkey's weakening will help Western culture to spread to the East, beyond Europe's boundaries.

So, it is easier to fight the opponent when it stands on threshold before you let it in. Turkey is an idea opponent for Turkey because it is a strong state which combines democratic and Islamic values successfully.

Turkey's goal

"Turkey has a goal - to become full right EU member," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a visit to Poland. However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said after talks with French President Nocolas Sarkozy that Turkey must be granted status of privileged EU partner, but not full-right member.

French President supported German chancellor and noted that the EU must stop giving false promises to Turkey and focus on creating joint economic and cultural area. Sarkozy opposed Turkey's admission earlier as well and offered the country to join the Mediterranean Union, economic organization uniting regional countries.

Furthermore, France offers to stop EU's enlargement. French Secretary of State Bruno Le Maire also said the EU enlargement must be stopped after the Western Balkan countries are admitted and efforts must be focused on strengthening European institutions, RIA Novosti reported. 

Currently, official status of candidate for the EU membership is held by Croatia which can be admitted to the organization in 2010 or 2011 and also by Turkey, the talks on admission of which can take 10 to 15 years.

Montenegro submitted an application for the status of  "a candidate" in February. The country's application is under consideration at the moment. Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina can follow the afore-said countries' example this year.  

European prospects are open for Kosovo as well. However, Romania, Slovakia, Greece, Cyrus and Spain refuse to recognize Kosovo, break-away region of Serbia.

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