Turkey: Bridge or Bridgehead?, Fall 2004

This article asks whether Turkey’s accession to the EU would create a bridge of understanding between Western Europe and the Islamic world or would Turkey be a bridgehead from which large numbers of Muslims will “invade” western society? It analyzes the key non-economic issues and, in particular, examines the relevance of religion.  The writer believes that all countries which qualify politically and economically for EU membership should be admitted but worries that the EU itself is not sufficiently prepared for any further enlargement.  The article suggests the basis on which the European Council should open negotiations at the end of 2004 and insists that satisfying the political criteria is a prerequisite to entry and not to opening the negotiations...Please click here to read the text in full.