In the wake of the election in Cyprus, many have stated that Turkey, by sticking it’s neck out, has bolstered its candidacy to join the EU. However, there’s this issue of (Greek) Cyprus being a member.
Once upon a time, all decisions of any consequence had to be agreed by all EU member nations. With its size becoming unwieldy, it was my understanding that many such decisions can now be taken with majorities of different sorts. But I would have thought that membership still required unanimous agreement.[ol]
[li]Is unanimous consent still required for new members to join the EU?[/li][li]What powers does the EU have against one of its members (Cyprus) if that country puts its foot down and refuses consent to Turkish membership while Turkish troops are in Northern Cyprus?[/li][/ol]
I’m certain that as of about four months ago, unanimous consent was still required before a new country could join. I know this because my German relatives, who follow this sort of thing, were talking about it all the time. Some were speculating that the rule might have to be changed now that the number of members is growing so quickly.
If you go to the European Union website there is a lot of discussions on this. With the admission of the new 10 several countries (notably France and Germany) want to stop the one vote per country.
But according to their own site Turkey is so far off from ever being a memeber. The site cites (how’s that for grammar ) lists political prisoners, abuse of Kurds, non-minority abuses of Chritians and Jews. It basically says (though one section contridicts this) that Islam and Europe won’t be compatable.
I did actually check out the EU site, but typical of the EU (or many bureaucracies), the site was long-winded and didn’t seem to say anything substantive about my question. I did see the profile of Turkey’s candidacy, however.
I missed where it was implied that Europe and Islam were incompatible, though I have heard that claim before.
In the past, there has been considerable skepticism about Turkey’s ability to be a full partner in the cultural, legal, political, trade, etc life of the EU. But news reports I have read, supported by the EU’s 1993 Regular Report on Turkey’s progress towards accession, indicate substantial progress in most areas, and the probable start of accession talks within the next 2-3 years.
All this will be futile, however, if the Greek Cypriots remain intransigent in their hostility towards Turkey, and its occupying troops in Northern Cyprus. Now that [Greek] Cyprus is seen as the bad guys by many leaders in Europe, I was wondering what power those leaders might have to strongarm the EU-member Cypriots into accepting Turkey a few years down the road, if that becomes an issue.
) lists political prisoners, abuse of Kurds, non-minority abuses of Chritians and Jews. It basically says (though one section contridicts this) that Islam and Europe won’t be compatable.