Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Adventurer]

Jorg von Uthmann
BLOOMBERG
'From Byzantium to Istanbul: One Port for Two Continents,' an exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris, presents 300 objects chronologically, beginning with the prehistoric, Greek and Roman eras and continuing to the Ottoman Empire. Portraits of sultans, courtly robes, tents, carpets, furniture, city views and manuscripts pay testament to Istanbul's most glorious periods



EXHIBIT: 'From Byzantium to Istanbul: One Port for Two Continents' at Paris� Grand Palais.

Is Turkey part of Europe? That politically charged question has crept up on the fringes of a Paris exhibition, �From Byzantium to Istanbul: One Port for Two Continents.�

On display at Paris� Grand Palais � the first in a season of Turkey-related events across France � the show dispels any doubts about the European roots of Istanbul, a city set to be a European Capital of Culture next year.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=sultans-battle-invaders-as-paris-show-fetes-turkish-melting-pot-2009-11-17

[mises]

[Adventurer]

[mises]

It isn't going to happen.

Don't be naive.

[ytuque]

[Kuros]

In addition to being questionably European at best, Turkey is also big. France and Germany control the EU. Yes, they were willing to let in a bunch of smaller Balkan states. But are they going to vote in a major counterbalance? Expand the EU during a global depression?

Highly doubtful.

[jvalmer]

Every single European over the age of 30 that I've talked to do not want Turkey in the EU. And the younger people barely support Turkey joining the EU. Wait ten years and ask those 20-somethings the same question, I'd say a lot of them will have reversed their stance and keep the majority to the nay side.

Unless Turkey becomes Christian they will never be admitted to the EU. Turkey should just stop wasting it's energy on this and spend it on improving Turkey.

Israel has a better chance joining the EU than Turkey ever will.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Gopher]

Incomprehensible title, Adventurer.

Re: Turkey's bid for the EU: I saw the former American ambassador to Turkey speak recently. He emphasized that Turkey remains in NATO and probably will remain in NATO into the foreseeable future.

However, western European resistance, especially from France, to admitting Turkey into the EU has frustrated and offended many in Turkey. And we are seeing a possible trend indicating a shift in Turkey's fundamental orientation. Since Mehmed II, the Ottomans saw themselves as Rome's successors in the Med. And since Ataturk, Turks have seen themselves as "western." But this can and may change. And it looks as if Turkey is turning away from the west and toward the east, especially Russia and the Islamic world. It may simply be that Turkey is performing as "the bridge" we have hoped for; but it may also be a shift in Turkey's fundamental orientation.

Other indicators include: increased antiAmericanism re: Turkey's unhappiness with American policies re: the Kurds; and a permanent Turkish-Israeli split.

I know several Turks as colleagues. They consider themselves "Europeans," and one of them even displays the EU flag in his apartment. He also drinks more beer than a German; I saw him drink ten or twelve in a couple of hours once.

In any case, it would be a mistake for the French and other western Europeans to continue rejecting Turkey; and we do not want to see Turkey become Russia's ally against us, or at least less friendly to us, or to see Turkey discard its western identity to embrace an Islamic one.

[bigverne]

[mises]