Turkey Facts

Submitted by Cem (United Kingdom), Aug 23, 2005 at 11:08

The Ottomans were HEAVILY linked and involved in Europe, and played a big part of European Politics in the time when Europe was being Established. You need to KNOW the HISTORY of the Ottomans and Europe before you go making such sweeping statements.

In the time when Ataturk was in rule (READ ABOUT HIM) he heavily influenced Turkey to embrace Europe, by abolishing the use of Arabic language and writing, and he adopted the LATIN alphabet. FACT.

He then established the secular state we know today. FACT.

He banned the wearing of Headscarfs in schools and Fez in the street. FACT.

Turkey were trying to join Europe before most of Europe (today) even considered it. FACT.

They gave women the right to vote before countries like Italy and France.......FACT.

Geographically nobody can argue, at least SOME OF TURKEY (approx 15% is in Europe) unlike Cyprus which NONE OF GEOGRAPHICALLY counts as Europe. yet they gained full membership, without resolving the Cyprus issue first?

All this 80 years ago, and since then we have aspired to join.

Not only this, but if you have ever been to Turkey, you will realise it is not an army base, or war struck country, with people in Islamic clothing, they are modern, young educated and intelligent people who think VERY SIMILAR to Europeans.

I am dissapointed to read how you so called "Europeans" seem to think you know everything, when you have absolutely NO substance to your comments. ...
Personally I agree Turkey shouldn't join Europe, but for her own benefit, we have a nation of HARD WORKING, HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS and Educated people who can make the economy boom in a matter of years.

Countries like Greece have reached their economic potential (28th in the world), Turkey stands 21st, but if tapped into, stands a Fantastic chance of making it in the top 10. We don't need to be in Europe to trade with them, and not having all of their rules, regulations, and embargos will enable us to trade freely.

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