Posted in Opinion on Nov 13th, 2011
There are two problems with Turkey’s accession into the European Union. The first is that there is no accession; the second is that there is no EU. No need to panic, though, so long as the EU manages to resuscitate itself. Turkey’s EU hopes have hit roadblocks before, but each time Ankara and Brussels rejuvenated [...]
Posted in European Union, Opinion, Turkish Press on Aug 30th, 2011
By Joanna Sopinska Irritated by the prolonged impasse in its EU accession talks, Turkey has called on the member states to unlock the process. The appeal came following the entry into force of the decree amending Law No 5737 on foundations in Turkey. « It is time for the EU and member states to question [...]
Posted in Opinion, Turkish Press on Jul 12th, 2011
The most striking aspect of the 61st government’s program being debated in Parliament (even if it is not so much of a surprise to many observers) is the strong emphasis it has given to the goal of full membership in the European Union. The full membership pledge has been placed as a main strategic goal [...]
Posted in EU Visa Policy, Opinion, Turkish Press on Dec 13th, 2010
Visa Free Europe, a Utopia for Turkey? By Lisa Schaefer (JTW) Journal of Turkish Weekly conducted an exclusive interview with Ceren Mutus, USAK expert on Turkey-EU relations, on visa free travel. Q: By the adoption of the Ankara Agreement in 1963 provision was made for extensive freedom of travel to Turkish people within the European [...]
Posted in Opinion, Turkish Press on May 16th, 2010
I am very pleased to be addressing you once again. The theme of today’s discussions is ‘Which Europe.’ Now, that might seem to be a question which does not directly involve Turkey and developments there, but I will argue here that it does and that what happens in Turkey may be of much greater concern [...]
Posted in European Union, Opinion, Turkish Press on Feb 19th, 2010
The status of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Greek Minorities within Turkey’s borders is one of the most debated issues within the context of Turkey’s accession to the EU. However, the standards demanded by the EU are not met by its own member, Greece also. Çimen Turunç Baturalp points out that the minority issues in [...]
Posted in International Press, Opinion on Jan 6th, 2010
More than 22 years after it first applied, Turkey’s entry to the EU is still blocked by human rights concerns – and subtle prejudice. Istanbul is haunted by a unique type of melancholy, Orhan Pamuk writes in his wondrous book on Turkey’s largest city. Known as hüzün, “the black mood shared by millions of people [...]
Posted in Opinion, Turkish Press on Aug 14th, 2009
The claim raised by the British Daily Telegraph the other day that one-fifth of the European population will consist of Muslims by 2050 is being discussed. The Dutch are concerned by this one-fifth ratio, which the right-wing Daily Telegraph based on the data by America’s Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, part of the [...]
Posted in International Press, Opinion on Aug 7th, 2009
Turkey ever join the EU? Writing in the Guardian, Tariq Ramadan argues that the EU must let the former Ottoman power back into Europe and that they’ve only barred Turkish membership out of fear, xenophobia and, of course, Islamophobia: Political parties that call for an increasingly narrow view of Europe are gaining ground. These parties [...]
Posted in Opinion, Turkish Press on Aug 1st, 2009
“Your wish will come true. Let me tell you what… This shouldn’t be told. If the cup is stuck on the plate it should be directly cleaned and one shouldn’t see what’s inside. It means your wish has already come true.” “You are in constant struggle. I mean there is something big standing in the [...]