On the European Union Menu: Turkey

Though many in Europe oppose Muslim Turkey's admission to the European Union, the EU has agreed to begin official negotiations. Where will this lead? What does Bible prophecy reveal?

by Paul Kieffer

At their final summit meeting for the year, held in Brussels on Dec. 16 and 17, 2004, leaders of the European Union reached a historic agreement to begin official negotiations with Turkey on that country's bid for full membership in the EU.

If negotiations are successful, Turkey would become the EU's first Muslim country. Since a sizable portion of Turkey is also outside the traditional geographic scope of Europe, the Brussels decision is viewed by some political observers as setting the stage for a new phase in EU development.

For those living beyond the borders of Europe, the question of Turkish membership in the EU may seem a distant and trivial issue. But Bible prophecy suggests that it could be the first step in radically changing Europe's present relationship with the rest of the world.

No real appetite for Turkey since 1963

Turkey's relationship with what became the European Union began in 1963 when Turkey was granted "associated" status, which provided it preferential trade status and other benefits. Turkey first applied for full EU membership in 1987. However, a number of issues repeatedly blocked progress toward official negotiations. Among them were Turkey's occasionally unstable political system and its human rights record, which were deemed incompatible with European standards.

However, the EU repeatedly indicated its willingness to begin official talks on membership, provided Turkey continued its internal reform process. For example, Turkey announced two years ago that it would no longer carry out the death penalty, one of the prerequisites for EU membership (no EU member country has a death penalty).

Despite the undeniable progress Turkey has made in adopting European standards, the possibility of Turkey becoming a full member makes many EU leaders and citizens nervous. An interesting dichotomy has emerged between some EU leaders and their citizens, especially in France and Germany. French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder have been quite vocal—individually and jointly—in supporting Turkey's bid for EU membership.

Read the full article at www.wnponline.org/wnp/wnp0501/europeanunion.htm

Related Information on UCG Sites:

Table of Contents that includes "On the European Union Menu: Turkey"
Other Articles by Paul Kieffer

Turkey:

European Union - demographics:

Search Our Site
Key Subjects Index
General Topics Index
Biblical References Index
Good News Magazine Index
Booklets and All Literature Index
Home Page of this site