Sarkozy totally opposed to Turkey joining EU, tells Obama to butt out

[Yala]

The love-in between Nicolas Sarkozy and Barack Obama proved short-lived after the French President warned his US counterpart yesterday to keep his nose out of the issue of Turkey’s membership of the European Union.

President Obama used his first EU-US summit, on the eve of his visit to Turkey, to encourage European leaders to embrace the Muslim country and “anchor it in Europe”. However, Mr Sarkozy, a long-standing opponent of full membership for Turkey, rebuffed the US leader in language that seemed to sour the revival of Franco-US relations.

“I have been working hand in hand with President Obama but when it comes to the European Union it is up to member states of the European Union to decide [on membership],” Mr Sarkozy said in an interview on French television. “I have always been opposed to this entry and I remain opposed,” he added.

His comments laid bare the continuing EU split over Turkish membership, with France and Austria openly opposed and deep reservations in Germany and the Netherlands. Turkey would become the most populous EU country and Germany in particular is said to have concerns about the shift in power that this would cause, with the largest number of MEPs coming from Turkey, along with strong voting rights in European Council decisions.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...SS&attr=797093

[maven]

There could be no worse disaster for the West and particularily Europe than Turkish membership of the EU. President Bush did not get that and Obama certainly wont. Ask anyone in Europe and they will tell you it would be the equivelant of opening the city gates for a Muslim invasion.

[Kenneth]

Do the vast majority of every day Turks not want EU membership, did I read that right?

[Cellis]

Do the vast majority of every day Turks not want EU membership, did I read that right?

Sarkozy is right and majority of Turks like Sarkozy and don't want EU membership. Turkish people want to be their own or create a Turkic union with Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and other Turkic countries.

[maven]

Sarkozy is right and majority of Turks like Sarkozy and don't want EU membership. Turkish people want to be their own or create a Turkic union with Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and other Turkic countries.

That makes far more sense than crossing a fault-line which will be a fault-line for a long time to come. An economic alliance between Turkey and its neighbours can create an area of economic, social and political change that will also ally to Iraq and hopefully eventually Israel. That would give Turkey a less fraught relationship with the EU who are not in fear of Turks so much as radical Pakistani, Somali, and other groups already in Europe. European Turks do not feature on that list but being Muslims it would add to the stresses on European society trying to accomodate the demands of Islam.

The apalling behaviour of the Turkish President at the NATO summit trying to muzzle free speech in Denmark should have been a warning to Britain and other supporters oif Turkish membership. Turkey under an Islamist leader has definatly caused more stress.

[Kenneth]

Well I hope the Turkish people get their wishes meet serdar and form the unions they want, but giving the people what they want is not the way the EU operates. It's all about spin, fear mongering and protectionism, maybe your political elites are that way inclined too.

[Mediocrates]

EU membership is driven by economics. Once this whole meltdown-ish thing alleviates there will be renewed interest in Turkish EU membership. Or, they will simply use their NATO membership as a lever to force that.

[maven]

EU membership is driven by economics. Once this whole meltdown-ish thing alleviates there will be renewed interest in Turkish EU membership. Or, they will simply use their NATO membership as a lever to force that.

Not quite just economics, social cohesion in Europe is the main facor that is holding Turkey up. Just as the US entering into an open border situation with Mexico would face.

[Mediocrates]

The fears of the Polish Plumbers were overrated, no? France is, I think opposed not because Turkey is a secular-Muslim state but because there are 8 million more Turks than French and the Turkish economy is nearly a trillion dollars.

[NewsGuy]

There could be no worse disaster for the West and particularily Europe than Turkish membership of the EU. President Bush did not get that and Obama certainly wont. Ask anyone in Europe and they will tell you it would be the equivelant of opening the city gates for a Muslim invasion.

Right. The Europeans are already broke as a result of paying endless welfare and providing endless social services to the Muslims living in their countries. Having Turkey join the EU would require Europe to provide welfare to an entire Muslim country in addition to what they're already paying. They simply don't have the money.

Of course, Obama, who believes in simply printing more money and sinking further and further into debt, doesn't fully grasp the basic financial principles that the Europeans do. I'm glad that the Europeans are putting Obama in his place.

[maven]

Right. The Europeans are already broke as a result of paying endless welfare and providing endless social services to the Muslims living in their countries. Having Turkey join the EU would require Europe to provide welfare to an entire Muslim country in addition to what they're already paying. They simply don't have the money.

Of course, Obama, who believes in simply printing more money and sinking further and further into debt, doesn't fully grasp the basic financial principles that the Europeans do. I'm glad that the Europeans are putting Obama in his place.

If any more Muslims in large numbers enter Europe the far right will be boosted with the support of many who would otherwise have nothing to do with them.

The negative effects on society in Europe caused by frictions due to Muslim demands against freedom of Speech and for Sharia law have undermined the whole ethic of the freedom loving culture of Holland and Denmark. Intellectuals, journalists, politicians not to say ordinary civilians all over Europe are all looking over their shoulders in a toxic cloud of political correctness afraid to offend Muslims.

Britain has to a large extent caved under the threat. EU leaders cannot act alone so it is NOT just about money, social cohesion is under extreme stress more so in France than in the UK. Even if it financially helped Europe to admit Turkey the politicians would have a revolt on their hands. That may be hard for people in the US to grasp.

And it's not because people in Europe hate Muslims. All people want is for Muslims to be happy and settle down. I'ts not that people are prejudiced against them it is because they hate us and they hate our western society.

[Berti Pane]

I understand the worries on issues such as Turkey’s EU accession.But, I think much of the discussion on the EU admission of Turkey is very transient, both the internal one in Turkey and the one in Europe.Turkey will never get into the EU IMO,not in the next 15-20 years at least..

Sarkozy goes on and on about this opposition, but he didn't veto Turkey’s accession. He should either do what needs to be done,or he should keep his mouth shut.Lots of words,no action.It's really annoying.

[Anatolia]

Obama meets University students..

http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

[ranchcer]

Muslim-friendly Obama knew from day one that Europe had no wish to be stuck with the kurdish problem.
On his next visit to Turkey he may grant them U.S citizenship. who Knows
Anyway, whether Sarko & others like it or not, Turkey is already sitting at the European table and shows no hurry to become a full member on her own terms. A government that claims to run a laic state doesnt kick so much fuss over some Mohammed cartoons cr*p at the highest level. Ask Rasmussen.