Turkey is still in the process of obtaining membership to the European Union. This prolonged attempt in itself is huge, because it again redefines Europe politically and geographically. Many are skeptical towards European expansion further east for a variety of reasons, but religion arguably stands out. Although Turkey is a secular country without an official state religion, the majority of the country is Muslim. You may ask where am I going with this...but accepting Turkey could have major implications on EU legislation in other countries. I am neither for or against Turkish integration, purely because I am not knowledgeable enough to make a rational judgement, but from what I do know, it raises issues for the EU as a body itself.
Originally, the EU comprised of 6 countries. Now it has 27. 3 more are in the process of integrating. If the EU continues to push east, where do the boundaries end? Surely if Turkey (which is more in Asia than Europe, geographically) has a legitimate claim to being part of the EU, so does the likes of Morocco, Libya and Algeria as they only separated from mainland Europe by a few hundred miles of the Mediterranean? Surely Russia has a legitimate claim for being within the geographical boundaries of 'Europe'?
If religion plays apart in the decision, then surely Muslim countries in the region have a claim to join as well? I have no problem with religion, let me stress that point. But how can the European Union be united if some countries, like France, do not have the same rights for Muslims in their country than others.
For example, take headscarves. Since 2004, donning a headscarf in a French state school was banned. If Europe really was united....we would have the same laws and expectations. But arguing this is arguing for further European expansion, something that skeptics such as myself strongly dispute.
This blog could go on and on, but I will refrain. In short, will there really be benefits to further EU expansion?
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