Let's keep Turkey out of Europe

Let's keep Turkey out of Europe

22 Feb 2005

The panel debates the motion: Let's keep Turkey out of Europe. Chaired by Francine Stock.

Arguing for the motion are Dr John Casey, Dr Michael Stürmer, and Kevin Myers.

John Casey says the European community is bound together by a common history, not common values. He believes that, if democracy, secularism and minority rights alone define Europe, its borders become indefinitely expandable. Turkey’s admission would result in a progressively weaker Europe, unable to counter American hegemony.

Michael Stürmer says Turkey's deeply-entrenched conflicts, its agricultural backwardness, and its potential for hosting the rebirth of militant Islam will stretch the EU past breaking point. With limited defence capabilities, the EU cannot risk being drawn into Turkey’s acute conflicts. He argues that it is too poor and too large to be absorbed into Europe without taking a toll.

Kevin Myers argues that there is a gaping disparity between the tolerant metropolitan Turkish capital and the Anatolian heartland. Where Europe is flabby, declining, conceited and morally inert, he says Islam is not. The millions of impoverished, illiterate Turks pose a very real threat to the modern European welfare system and are almost certain to engage in religious conflict.

Arguing against the motion are Dominique Moisi, Mark Leonard and Norman Stone.

Dominique Moisi regards the debate over Turkey as part of the battle between hope and fear. Europe's dissolution is much more unlikely than proponents of the motion make it out to be. He argues that this is Europe’s great opportunity to show the rest of the world that it does not believe in a clash of civilisations between Islam and modernity, democracy and secularism.

Mark Leonard asserts that it does not matter if Turkey is a European country so long as it meets universal standards of democracy and human rights. He argues that EU membership is a powerful enough incentive to motivate countries to undergo the painful processes of reform that make them prosperous and free.

Norman Stone asserts that Turkey’s history mirrors that of Spain, now one of Europe’s greatest success stories. The EU has a crucial opportunity to influence Turkey, to shape it, and create an entirely new civilisation.

First vote: 197 For, 205 Against, 203 Don't know

Final Vote: 220 For, 379 Against, 45 Don't know

The motion is defeated by 159 votes.