Tag: EU

HEY YOU! HEY ERDOĞAN!

HEY YOU! HEY ERDOĞAN!

UNNATURAL BORN SERIAL KILLER

(11 March 2014)

“It is not Allah who has taken my son away. It is Erdoğan.”
15 year-old Berkin Elvan’s mother

HEY YOU!

Yes, you! You, standing there scowling, fouling the planet’s air with your rancid words. Yes, you, the menace! You, the monster! You, the liar! You, the thief! You, the bully! You, the perverter of morals! You, the traitor! You, the killer!

Yes, you and your infamous henchmen, Gül and Gülen. Yes, the three of you who share the same twisted, corrupt, un-watchable face. Your henchmen have the overwhelming ignorance, the stupendous arrogance to express condolences about your murder of 15 year-old Berkin Elvan, your eighth innocent victim. Yes, you, the big shot who gives all the orders. You had this boy shot with a tear gas canister. And you did your dirty business through one of your stooges in Gülen’s police force. Killers!

So yes, I’m talking to you. And I’m talking to your other hack allies, Gül and Gülen. You three collaborators in the destruction of our nation have neither the moral standing nor the necessary trace of humanity to say one syllable about the heinous crime done to this peaceful boy. Such dim-witted arrogance! Why today, the day of Berkin’s death, your same fascist cops wantonly attacked people walking in peaceful protest over his killing, and in overflowing disgust with you, his murderer. This happened all over Turkey. Have you no shame? You attack mourners? Tomorrow, will you attack the boy’s corpse? Have you no, no….anything?

And I’m also talking to all your other hacks, too numerous to mention but not too numerous to find and punish, for you all will be found and punished. Your Nazi-inspired criminal police force will pay a sublime price for their violent crimes against the people. As will your craven judges who so fouled the halls of justice with their feeble-minded decisions. And I’m talking to all the ones who implement your beastly orders that destroy our people and our nation. You know who they are. And so do we. The ones that bow and scrape the floor, the ones that think you’re so smart and tell you so all day, every day. And I’m talking to your bosses, the puppeteers that brought all of you here. We know where they are too.

We have you all numbered, you see. And we already know how it will end. Here’s a hint. It already has.

You all thought you were so smart, being backed by America and all. But you knew nothing, except how to steal, and lie, and cheat, and kill. What’s that? You think otherwise? Hah! Look at the nation. Look at America. Look at the world. Look at your faces.

James (Cem) Ryan
Istanbul
11 March 2014

Brightening Glance:

March 12, 2014
Turkey has ‘much to do’ before it can join EU

Report on EU enlargement says Turkey needs to do more on rule of law and democratic rights but leaves door open for membership

Stefan Fule said that the ‘ball is in Turkey’s court’ Photo: AFP

By Martin Banks, Brussels5:55PM BST 16 Oct 20138 Comments

Turkey still has “much to do” in tackling press freedom, democratic rights and police brutality before it can entertain hopes of joining the EU, a major report on future expansion has said.

Stefan Fule, the EU enlargement commissioner, said that in terms of satisfying the necessary criteria for EU membership the “ball is in Turkey´s court”.

He was speaking on Wednesday after the European Commission published its annual progress reports assessing how far Ankara and other countries aspiring to EU membership have come in bringing their laws into line with EU standards.

The Commission report criticised “excessive” use of force by Turkish police in crushing anti-government protests in the summer, with Mr Fule saying this was “cause for serious concern.”

The keenly-awaited report said progress was still needed in Turkey on the rule of law, tackling corruption and on reform of the judiciary.

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But the Commission was more consensual towards possible Turkish membership than had been expected, with Mr Fule describing the country as a “strategic partner” for the EU and adding that its membership credentials remained “credible.”

“I´ve a lot of voices saying we should disengage with Turkey but I take the opposite view. We have so many issues of mutual interest but the ball is in Turkey´s court,” he said.

Ankara has provisionally completed just one of 35 chapters of accession talks. It has opened a dozen more policy areas but most of the rest are blocked due to disputes over the divided island of Cyprus or hostility from some EU members such as Germany.

EU governments will consider the Commission’s report at a meeting on October 22 when they will decide whether they will open the next ‘chapter’ of accession negotiations with Turkey on regional policy.

In its report, the Commission also proposed that EU governments formally recognise Albania as a candidate for membership. On Serbia, which won a green light in June to start negotiations by next January, Mr Fule praised Belgrade´s efforts to normalise relations with its former province Kosovo.

However, the document was scathing of some other candidate countries, including Bosnia where Mr Fule said the accession process had ground to a “standstill.”

Helene Flautre, a French Green MEP, who chairs the European Parliament´s Turkey delegation, said: “The report paints a mixed picture of the situation in Turkey. While there is clear progress on issues such as the Kurdish question, minority rights and judicial reform, the Commission correctly highlights problems in the field of fundamental rights and freedom of the press as the weaknesses of Turkish democracy.”

via Turkey has ‘much to do’ before it can join EU – Telegraph.

October 19, 2013
Turkey EU: Why It Will Never Happen
Turkey EU: Why It Will Never Happen
- Teklehaymanot Yilma
Turkey EU: Why It Will Never Happen

Turkey has been attempting to the join the European Union for years with no success. In fact, ever since it started applying, countries like Slovenia and Croatia have been accepted and Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Kosovo are being groomed to join. Mind you that Turkey first applied to join while those countries were still one country as Yugoslavia.

While the EU has virtually put Turkey’s application on what seems like a permanent “hold” status, a large number of the Turkish people are disappointed in the EU’s lack of response. “I guess that nobody wants to say that we are not going to continue with the accession process, neither the EU nor Turkey,” said Turkey’s ambassador to the EU, Selim Yenel.

Turkey will never be accepted into the EU for two major reasons.

1. Culture/Religion

Many influential EU leaders have rejected the idea of allowing a Muslim country be a part of the EU. Many fear that unlike the smaller European countries that had smooth accession, a largeMuslim country would stand out and integration with the rest of the European Union would not be easy.

2. Geography

Turkey is truly unique, at the cross roads of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Turkey both culturally and historically represents a linkage between the West and East and even though its location has so much historical significance, it also has some negatives. Ultimately, the European Union would never be willing to share a border with Syria, Iraq, Armenia and Iran. Should Turkey join the EU, these four countries would be the new neighbors of the European Union.

This is precisely why the European Union has implemented the Neighborhood Policy. Essentially, this policy uses the EU’s direct neighbors as a buffer zone, almost like an artificial border. Under the Neighborhood Policy, countries like Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Syria, Turkey, Maldova and others, receive various forms of economic aid and trade subsidies from the EU to integrate their markets under conditions that would force them to become more democratic. The EU says that it is an effort to democratize their neighbors and assist them with economic growth. However, it essentially boils down to these countries’ being used as a buffer zone to act as a border, separating the EU from countries like Mali, Chad, Syria, Iraq and Belarus. Turkey is a crucial Neighborhood Policy member that the EU wants to permanently use as a buffer.

Despite these two reasons, Turkey should be glad it is not joining the EU. Joining the EU may bring many benefits such as access to the world’s biggest trading zone, free mobilization throughout the 28 member states, funding for infrastructure and of course the elite title of being a European Union member. However, Turkey is the gateway to Asian and Middle Eastern markets and as a member of the Neighborhood Policy, Turkey is getting all sorts of funds from the EU without the risks of being a part of the European Union and dealing with the Euro zone.

Second, being a European Union member may actually draw some animosity from Turkey’s neighbors which are not too fond of the EU or the west. Joining the EU might actually become a national security concern as Turkey could become a bigger target, as the only Muslim country in the EU furthering relations with the west.

So as an independent nation, Turkey can enjoy economic growth and expanding trade with the Middle East and Asiafree from European elitism, the unstable Euro, and animosity from extremist groups.
October 14, 2013
Turkey won’t join EU in near future

Column by Alex Shaner

The European Union (EU) has become one of the most prominent multilateral and regional governmental institutions of all time.

Citing collective defense, economic, social, political and environmental concerns, 28 states have banded together since the end of World War II to create a lasting forum for economic and political collaboration on a level not currently seen.

With the formation of a common currency, the Euro, the EU always has been looking for further interests and expansion of membership and ideals.

With this lucrative organization, many states are seeking membership and the benefits that come with such a membership.

One country in particular, Turkey, has been negotiating membership since the late 1960s.

Can Turkey complete the membership requirements and more importantly, will it be a “fit” within the EU?

I believe Turkey would make an excellent addition to shakeup the very “stuffy” EU.

However, with the current system of membership and the geo-political differences, Turkey will not be admitted for the foreseeable future for a variety of reasons.

Location, location, location. While several states including Cyprus lie beyond geographical Europe, Turkey’s geographic importance is not continental.

While it is true that Turkey is technically in Europe, only one-fourth of the country is located “in Europe.”

Geography does not always equate membership, however, in an “European” Union, it would make sense to actually be in Europe, or at least a majority.

Being on the same continent allows states to share common security concerns, environmental impacts and sense of a shared fate in collective decisions of the continent.

Second, there is a tremendous difference in culture between Turkey and the rest of the EU. An obvious difference, religion, can determine morals, political positions and cultural continuity between members.

The predominant religion in Europe, Christianity, allows for similar moral and ethical positions between the states.

While there are sizable Islam and Hindu populations within Europe, they are concentrated in urban areas and are not the majority of the population, as well as the governing beliefs as in the Church of England, for example.

This is not to say just because the majority of Turkey practices Islam, that it cannot be in the EU.

Several of the requirements within the “Chapters” of membership call for religious tolerance and freedom of expression, which currently is a problem within Turkey’s civil rights.

Besides the previous reasons, the membership process is quite lengthy, and the candidate’s status is defined into 35 chapters.

All of these areas must be completed and the guidelines met in order to be granted membership.

Out of the 35 chapters, Turkey has completed one.

Only 15 chapters are currently open, and most of them became open in 2007. The chapters range from science and technology, freedoms and liberties, free movement of capital and environmental sustainability.

These issues specifically with governing will take years for Turkey to make some effort.

While the EU can benefit from cultural diversity, the current political situation in Turkey and the lack of progress on the application process, the accession of Turkey to the EU will not happen for the foreseeable future if at all.

Shaner is a senior international relations and politics double major and can be reached at [email protected]

via Turkey won’t join EU in near future.

October 11, 2013
Turkey questions its EU future as Brussels looks to Balkans

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan gestures during the Istanbul Conference of the Ministry For EU Affairs in Istanbul June 7, 2013. Turkey must investigate whether police used excessive force in a crackdown on days of anti-government demonstrations and hold those responsible to account, European Union enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele said on Friday. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY – Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS)

03 OCTOBER 2013

Turkey has been trying for years to join the European Union, presenting itself as a growing economic and political power and a bridge to Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

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But the next country to join the EU’s existing 28 members is more likely to be one of six small Balkan countries, five of which still formed part of Yugoslavia when Turkey made its first membership bid.

Several powerful EU states are reluctant to open the door to a large, mainly Muslim country, even a member of the NATO Western military alliance, fearing a troublesome integration whereas small countries have a track record of smooth accession.

While the EU focuses its attention elsewhere, the Turkish government and public are increasingly despondent and have started to wonder whether it really needs Europe after all.

“I guess that nobody wants to say that we are not going to continue with the accession process, neither the EU nor Turkey,” said Turkey’s ambassador to the EU, Selim Yenel, speaking at a Brussels think-tank in September.

“But there will be one day in which we will have to decide on what to do about it, because this is going nowhere.”

Joining the EU can bring the benefits of easy access to the world’s largest trading bloc, free movement of workers, funding for poorer regions and infrastructure and the chance to belong to a relatively stable political union.

Over the next decade or so, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, Bosnia and Kosovo may all be able to take advantage of those perks, following Slovenia and Croatia to a spot on the members’ list.

Meanwhile Turkey’s membership bid has been virtually frozen for three years, held back by political obstacles and resistance in some EU countries, including Germany, France and Austria.

Support for EU membership among the Turkish public fell to 44 percent this year from 73 percent in 2004, according to a recent German Marshall Fund report.

Ankara’s chief EU negotiator Egemen Bagis said last month his country would probably never join the EU because of the attitudes of the bloc’s existing members.

GEOGRAPHY

A senior official with direct knowledge of enlargement discussions said EU leaders were not focused on Turkey which would be the most populous member, giving it the largest share of seats in the European Parliament and influence across Europe’s institutions.

via Turkey questions its EU future as Brussels looks to Balkans – Independent.ie.

October 4, 2013
Bulgaria, Greece Must Unite against Macedonia, Turkey in Agriculture

Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Foods Miroslav Naydenov. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria and Greece should team up to offer strong competition in the area of agriculture against non-EU neighbors Macedonia and Turkey, argued Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov.

Saturday Naydenov visited Greek livestock breeding exhibition Zootechnia in Thessaloniki.

“There is a competition pressure in agriculture on the part of Turkey and Macedonia, who are not part of the EU and their agriculture sectors can enjoy privileges not available to agriculture producers in the EU,” said the Bulgarian minister in an interview for ANA-MPA.

“We are neighbors with Greece and our ambition is to be able to increase mutual exchange,” stressed Naydenov.

The Bulgarian Agriculture Minister noted that Greek agriculture companies already have the established practice of using Bulgarian raw products, and suggested that this can be boosted.

He also called for an increased trade exchange of produce, with more Bulgarian grain products to be imported in Greece, and more Greek fruit and vegetables to be imported in Bulgaria.

In particular, Naydenov stressed that Bulgaria has still work to do in the absorption of EU subsidies in agriculture to achieve the full potential of the sector.

Tags: greece, Greek, Thessaloniki, Miroslav Naydenov, agriculture, greece, turkey, EU, subsidies

via Bulgaria: Bulgaria, Greece Must Unite against Macedonia, Turkey in Agriculture – Bulgarian Min – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency.

February 15, 2013