Main Contributions of Turkey's Membership to the EU
Turkish people feel European, Turkey is member of all European organisations and in the process of membership negotiations with the European Union.
The challenge for both the EU and Turkey is now to transform Turkey’s political, economic, social and cultural potential into assests for Europe’s future.
(1) ECONOMY: Turkey will contribute to the EU’s economic power on the global scene. With a population of 71 million, a steadily increasing GDP level (648 billion euros), an economic growth average of 7% in the last 5 years, a young and entrepreneurial population, an export oriented industrial economy and a rapidly developing information society, Turkey’s accession will increase the size and competitiveness of the European internal market.
(2) CONSUMERS: Adoption by Turkey of the EU legislation and standards is increasing the competitiveness and the product quality in an enlarged Union.
(3) BUSINESS: Given the country’s qualified labour force, high absorption capacity, tourism potentials and location at the crossroads of Eurasian markets and energy networks, the EU membership will boost its economy by attracting even more investments. In addition to the existing customs union in industrial goods, the liberalisation of services and public procurement will provide European companies with invaluable opportunities and generate growth and jobs in Europe.
(4) GLOBAL POLITICS: Turkey’s geographical position and connection to the Balkans, the Black Sea, Islamic world, Russia and the Central Asia will endow the EU with greater saying in the international area.
(5) ENERGY: Turkey as an important link in the East-West energy corridor channelling the Caspian and the Middle Eastern energy to Europe and world markets. Turkey as a future member state of the EU would increase the EU’s energy security with alternative routes for energy supply such as The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Iraq-Ceyhan oil pipe-lines, Turkmenistan-Turkey-Europe, the Shah Deniz, the Black Sea and Turkey-Greece natural gas pipelines. Moreover, Turkey holds the biggest potential for renewable energies such as hydroelectric, thermal, solar, biomass and wind power reserves among European countries.
(6) CULTURE: Turkey has always been a cradle for major civilizations. Hittites, Lydians, Lycians, Phrygians, Romans, Byzantines, Seldjuk Turks, people from the Balkans, Caucasia, Central Asia, Black Sea and the Ottomans are all part of Turkey’s historic and cultural treasury. Among others, Tryo, Istanbul, Hattusash, Mount Nemrut, Xanthos, Lethoon, Cappadocia are registered on the World Heritage List.
(7) MULTICULTURALISM: Turkey’s membership will strengthen the EU’s multicultural society and democracy. It will be a solid confirmation of refuting ‘clash of civilisations’ scenario and emphasising the essence of the EU, namely a union built upon and through common values.
(8) WOMEN’S RIGHTS: Turkey’s progress towards the EU membership is an important catalyst in empowering women. Turkish women participating in the work force in banking, engineering, legal and the medical sectors are among the highest in Europe, whereas problems persist in both urban and rural areas. Turkey’s EU process will furter improve women’s rights in Turkey and generate positive effects on the status of Muslim women in Europe and beyond.
(9) ENVIRONMENT: Turkey’s membership will double the richness of European ecosystem. In Europe except Turkey, there are 3500 endemic plant species. Turkey alone is a home for 3022 endemic plant and 456 bird species. 93% of forests in Turkey are natural old forests (%1 in the rest of Europe).
(10) SECURITY & STABILTY: As a reliable NATO ally, Turkey’s membershi will consolidate both the military and the civilian aspects of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. A European Union including Turkey will be more efficient in tackling political problems and crises among which threats from undemocratic regimes, terrorism, illegal immigration and trafficking in drugs, arms, human beings.. Last but not least, Turkey’s membership will provide sustainable stability in the Aegean region and the Balkans.
