Turkey and EU?

Question

After accepting Turkey as its member, EU will have the biggest armed forces in the world. Even bigger than USA....

My question is to my European friends:

I know that you guys (especially French) have doubts about all the possible labor force that might pour from Turkey but

Don't you think Turkey is a key player for EU to become the new superpower?

So which one you prefer:

A weaker EU without Turkey?

or Superpower EU with Turkey?

Answer 1

1) Turkey is not part of Europe.

2) EU was created by stealth under European countries noses, therefore it will never have full support of its people.

It was created so a supreme power or president, or king and financial system could be created over top the existing powers that they can not get rid of.

Same is happening here with Canada USA and Mexico, and then in Asia. Except USA and CANADA will fight it harder than Europe did.

Answer 2

I think that the question is a little confusing.  I think that the point made about the change in the labor force is significant, because we have seen the same instance occur with the 10 Member increase to the EU in 2004 from the Eastern Europe states.  But honestly, Turkey will not make a significant difference in making the EU become a new superpower.  While I think that the integration is important for Turkey and the EU in sustaining trade relations and fostering cooperation, it will not have a significant impact on the EU becoming the new superpower (by a military standpoint).  Whiel the increase may give the EU the "largest" army, does this take into consideration (count) the U.S. military bases that are stationed in Turkey as a part of the EU, or does it disclude them?  Also, even if they then have the largest, it certainly does not equate to having the "best" military.  Case in point, China has a much larger military than the U.S. does.  If we lined up every Chinese soldier and started firing, we would run out of bullets before they are all down.  But, could China then beat the U.S. in a full-out war?  There is almost no way.  Numbers do not always mean the best.

Answer 3

Actually as I said before, Turkey can become the rival of EU if accession failed with the followings in mind:

1- Larger geographically and demographically than any other European country

2- More members in parliament (550 members, that can effect the decisions)

3- Oversized military (can depend on own military industrialization)

4- Land on two continents (make it part of Europe and Asia legitimately)

5- Is an oil bridge between Asia and Europe

Reasons mentioned above can make Turkey plays big rule regionally and internationally

Not to mention Turkey's exports in 2007 exceeded $100 billion as of september (16 out of the total 27 EU member states didn't achieve that high of exports)

So, can EU benefit from Turkey's accession? Yes, I think so. but in my opinion Turkey is doing very well whether with or without EU.

Answer 4

Turkey won't make the EU stronger.

Answer 5

the countries in the EU have their own militaries and can act independantly as is evidenced by the differences between the Uk and France regarding the Iraq War. EU will not never be a superpower because there isn't enough popular support for its institutions - it will always just be an organisation that has more teeth than the UN, but is just as beauracratic and takes just as long to acheive anything.

Answer 6

Turkey would be a major burden on the EU.  Turkey is seen as more of a problem, than a possible advantage.