Why is Turkey part of the EU?

[TheSpartan]

Some people on here know that I like to pretend to hate on Turkey. And, while trolling Turks is fun, Turkey is still a somewhat bizzare country. For example, their acceptance into the EU and NATO. Now, how exactly does this make sense? Turkey is in no way a European country; culturally, religiously, linguistically, and genetically it's very much Central Asian. How can you admit a non-European country into the EU? Am I missing something here?

[kingarthas]

because, it has land in the Europe (some of Thrace ) , also i don't agree with " culturally, religiously, linguistically, and genetically it's very much Central Asian" Ottomans stayed long enough to learn some and teach some culture to balkans. also with devshirme system ( I don't know how to exacly in english) too many children has taken from balkans. In turkey's west part its common to see people with european phenotype. dude i know some of turks here is troll but what is wrong with you :p

[TheSpartan]

Many Turks online are just super butthurt about their nation's image, so it's fun to troll them.

[kingarthas]

because of them normal turks hide their profile. I didn't because i know how to speak properly :p There is something i want to mention is Turkey's population is nearly 80M (without syrians :D ) Education is not very good in Turkey. So if we consider %20 of the population is butthurted. it makes 20M people. it is more than some of countries overall population in the eu. This is why its common to see troll turks. And also I don't really want to see turkey in eu union.

[TheSpartan]

I wouldn't want to be in the EU, either. The EU sucks.

[madhatters4]

turkey isn't in the EU
EU Members
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

as for their inclusion in NATO. don't see why they shouldn't or can't be.

[TheSpartan]

Turkey is an associate member.

[madhatters4]

i'm pretty certain
they are an associate member of the EEC
they are a Customs (EU Customs Union) member of the EU simply meaning that there are no tariffs on trade between Turkey and other EU countries. really it's a trans-benefit so there are no taxes on imports or exports between Turkey and EU members

[Anonymous]

Turkey is not part of the EU. It's part of NATO and that's because of political reasons, not because cultural, religious, linguistic, and genetic reasons. Being part of a union or a membership is always due to political reasons.

[annbelle]

Some people say that Turkey is the borderline between Europe and Asia. But I think the truth is that Bulgaria and Greece are the border and Turkey is part of Asia and not from Europe.

[TheSpartan]

Perfect answer! Lol

[Dipsy]

A tiny bit of Turkey is on European ground :P

[annbelle]

@Dipsy just a tiny bit :D doesn't count

[Dipsy]

Still I think Turkey being part of the eu is good actually

[reixun]

If being european means being Christian then some countries in the Balkans wouldn't be considered Europe either due to their large population of native muslims.

[TheSpartan]

I know, and it's unfortunate.
#removekebab

[reixun]

Are you a christian too?

[TheSpartan]

Yes, I'm Roman-Catholic.

Also, don't take things I say too seriously lol

[yucel_eden]

Turkey isn't part of the EU, 3 months ago the UK prime minister said at this rate it would take 3000 years for them to join.

With the current events I think EU might place a permanent ban.

The EU even supported the coup coz they hate the ISIS supporting turkey so much.

[TheSpartan]

They're an associate member.

[yucel_eden]

Yeah not s full member

[TheSpartan]

I never said they were a full member.

[reuserious]

Dude, You re at so wrong place to trolling Turks. Turkey already isn't in the EU.

As a Turkish citizen, even I don't want Turkey to join EU. Because EU is a christian catholic community. We are a country that consist of 99 percent Muslim citizens. In my opinion and politic view, Turkey should establish a community that involves other muslim countries, such as malaysia, iran, pakistan etc. I dont know if you know but some moves like this were attempted by formerTurkish government, in 1990s.

[TheSpartan]

"We are a country that consist 99 percent Muslim citizens."

Well, joining the EU might make some progress towards fixing that problem. I didn't the problem was THAT bad over there. I'm sorry to hear that.

[reuserious]

ahaha nice trolling, indeed. If I were not Turkish , I would laugh.

[Red_Arrow]

Europe is considered to be the area west of the Ural and Caucasus mountains. Turkey is completely west fo those.

[TheSpartan]

So are Egypt, Libya, Morroco, and Sudan. But, they're obviously not European.

[Red_Arrow]

The southern border of Europe is considered to be the Mediterranean Sea. I didn't mention that because it seemed obvious. Apparently not.

[TheSpartan]

Well, it's also "obvious" that Turkey is not a European country, but you're still trying to argue that it is.

[Red_Arrow]

It is completely within the confines of the accepted boundaries of Europe, so to any logical being it would be obvious that it is a European country. And I am not arguing that it is. It is just a simple fact.

[AloneLove]

Why u r part of humanity?🤔 If u wanna find out why, make research about Ottomon Kingdom which extended in Europen

[HulkkSmash]

Because they're bought out by the West. Turkey's government is one of the most corrupt.

[Anonymous]

Actually, Turkey is West Asia. As far west as the continent goes. But it also extends into Europe.

[Pac-Man]

Turkey isn't in the European Union?

[TheSpartan]

They're an associate member.

[Pac-Man]

It doesn't matter that Turkey is different from other European countries because those unions are economic and strategic, not moral. Turkey is the only thing that separates Europe from the Middle East so it would be stupid not to make some kind of union with it, and its also a valuable exporter of goods.

[TheSpartan]

Why call it the European Union, then?

[Pac-Man]

Because all member are European and Turkey isn't a real member. Are you just looking for things to be angry at?

[TheSpartan]

Where did you get the indication that I'm angry?

[meatballs21]

Turkey's not in the EU, mang.

[TheSpartan]

How many times am I going to have to fucking repeat this? They're. A. Motherfucking. Associate. Member.

[meatballs21]

That is not the same thing and it is also not a concept that currently exists in the EU. There are movements towards having full members and associate members as options going forward, but right now, there is no such thing.

[TheSpartan]

No, they're literally associate member of the EU at the moment. Just look it up.

[meatballs21]

They "literally" are a membership candidate, according to the European Comission's website:
ec.europa.eu/.../index_en.htm

The EU Delegation to Turkey likewise makes no reference to associate membership:
avrupa.info.tr/en/eu-and-turkey/history.html

To answer your actual question: Turkey has always wanted in. It's good for their trade, and they have a geographically strategic location.

[TheFlak38]

Turkey is only a NATO member.

[TheSpartan]

They're an associate member of the EU, too.

[Omar5881]

It is? When

[TheSpartan]

It's an associate member, but it has been pressing for full-membership since the 1960s.

[Omar5881]

Hmmm never knew this cool