EU and Turkey get off to rocky start

Turkey's four-decade-old bid to join the European Union has cleared an important hurdle with a deal on the framework for negotiations.

But a split within the EU and a show of Turkish brinkmanship demonstrate just how turbulent the entry process will be.

At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg that lurched from drama to farce, Austria demanded that the framework - a set of guiding principles for the entry negotiations - limit Turkey to a privileged partnership. In other words, Turkey would get wide access to the EU market but not full membership.

Austria eventually backed down, but not until its arm had been ruthlessly twisted.

Britain, current president of the EU, declared that the 25-nation bloc, which little more than four months ago was thrown into chaos after French and Dutch voters rejected a proposed European Constitution, now stood "on the edge of a precipice".

Rejection of Turkey would be "a huge betrayal", British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said.

As the deadlock in Luxembourg humiliatingly delayed ceremonies to mark the formal start of talks, Turkey warned it would accept nothing less than negotiations on full membership. After all, it noted, this had been promised for years and reiterated at an EU summit last December 17.

Anything less than this offer would exacerbate tensions between the West and the Muslim world, Ankara said.

"Let us be sincere, honest and principled," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "I invite all European leaders and our friends all over the world to show common sense for the sake of global peace and stability.

"Our wish is that common sense prevails - or it will be a pity as far as the future of mankind is concerned."

Turkey's supporters, led by Britain and Germany and with the loud backing of Washington, say Turkish entry would show that Europe is not blinkered by its predominantly Christian past.

Membership would give a vital boost to moderation in the Muslim world, they argue. It would anchor a state that, since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, has taken a secular approach towards religion.

Merely to get as far as securing a formal proposal on negotiations, Turkey - a country that has had three military coups in the last 45 years - has already had to make improvements on free speech and civic rights, especially towards its Kurdish minority.

Despite this, opposition to Turkish membership runs deep within Europe. With the exception of Austria, Governments officially approve but opinion polls say a majority of EU citizens are against. A Eurobarometer poll in July found 52 per cent against and only 35 per cent in favour.

The reasons for this are diverse. One is the enormous task of integrating a country of Turkey's size and poverty. Its population has per-capita gross national product of US$2790, less than a sixth of the EU average of US$19,775.

But a bigger obstacle - yet one that is almost taboo - is religion. At a time when Europeans are deeply worried by the rise of Islamic militancy, the notion of admitting millions of Muslims into the EU is not viewed favourably.

Flying to Luxembourg for the ceremonies, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul exulted that "[Turkey] has embarked on a new era".

The opening of negotiations is not an end in itself. Turkey's economy will have to get closer to the EU average. And referenda will be held in Austria and France on whether to accept the outcome. It could be as long as a decade before Turkey can dream of becoming a full-fledged member. There is plenty of time for European sceptics, the Turkish military or Islamist radicals to try to sabotage the process.

Pros and Cons

Supporters say:

Turkey is a large, relatively poor and overwhelmingly Muslim nation of 72 million people.

Supporters say The EU would be exposed as prejudiced and unreliable if the bloc rebuffs Turkey after Ankara met the political criteria.

Turkey's geographical location, culture and religion make it a bridge to the wider Muslim world.

With the second-biggest Army in Nato and strategic reach into the Middle East, Turkey would bolster EU political ambitions.

Turkey's youthful population could help cushion a looming pensions crisis.

Turkey is being forced to pursue sensible economic policies, uphold the rule of law and entrench democratic freedoms.

Critics say:

Polls show the European public opposes Turkish membership and the EU has to respect their wishes.

Turks would flock west to find jobs - and the experience of Germany and others shows how hard it is to integrate such people.

Turkey's size would impose great strain on the EU budget.

It would be the biggest EU member by the time it joins, wield the largest number of votes in the European Council and field the largest number of deputies in the European Parliament. Its admission would complicate decision-making.

EU borders would stretch to Iraq, Iran and Syria. It would be harder to halt the flow of illegal immigrants.

Turkey continues to be criticised for human rights abuses and corruption.

Turkey is more Middle Eastern or Asiatic than European.

- REUTERS