Living in Turkey, one gets a completely different perspective. From the Uk/European side it is a question of what Turkey has to do to be allowed in the club and how long it will take before it would be politically acceptable. In Turkey, the rapid Europeanisation of legalisation and all the structures of state have led to a backlash against Europe, strongly encouraged by those political interests who never want to see Turkey join the EU. The biggest companies in Turkey are still privately owned by some incredibly rich and powerful families. If Turkey joins the EU, they would have to start paying decent wages for reasonable hours, and paying for benefits such as holidays and insurance. In short their wealth depends upon Turkey not joining the EU. And these people own TV channels and newspapers....
The equivalent of the tabloids in Turkey cover in great detail every negative comment by any European politician about any aspect of Turkey, spinning and twisting it for maximum affect. The received view of most ordinary folk seems to be along the lines of "We have already given up too much to Europe" and "If Europe doesn't want us why should Turkey change any more".
I made my first property investments in Turkey in 2002 with the expectation that the membership of the EU was inevitable, it was just a question of time. After living in Turkey for three years and dealing with politicians, bureaucrats, tradespeople, ordinary folk as well as rich folk, my view now is that Turkey is not culturally, socially or psychologically ready or willing to join the EU and that it may yet be a generation away from being ready.
Discuss!
Tim.
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