Turkey should join the European Union

Running head : TURKEY SHOULD JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Turkey Should Join the European Union

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Turkey Should Join the European Union

The Republic of Turkey is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in western Asia and Thrace in the Balkan region of southeastern Europe . This country bs eight countries , namely Bulgaria to the northwest Greece to the west , Georgia to the northeast Armenia , Azerbaijan , and Iran to the east and Iraq and Syria to the southeast . The country is bed by the Mediterranean Sea and Cyprus

br to the south the Aegean Sea and Archipelago to the west and the Black Sea to the north . Separating Anatolia and Thrace are the Sea of Marmara and the Turkish Straits , which are commonly reckoned to delineate the b between Asia and Europe , and thereby making Turkey transcontinental

Due to its strategic location astride two continents , Turkey 's culture has a unique blend of Eastern and Western tradition . A powerful regional presence in the Eurasian landmass with strong historic , cultural and economic influence in the area between the European Union in the west and Central Asia in the east , Russia in the north and the Middle East in the south , Turkey has come to acquire increasing strategic significance

The European Union (EU ) is a political and economic community of twenty-seven member states , located primarily in Europe . It was established in 1993 by the Treaty of Maastricht , adding new areas of policy to the existing European Community . With almost 500 million citizens , the EU combined generates an estimated 30 share of the world 's nominal gross domestic product (US 16 .6 trillion ) in 2007

The EU has developed a single market through a standardized system of laws which apply in all member states , guaranteeing the freedom of movement of people , goods , services and capital . It maintains a common trade policy , agricultural and fisheries policies , and a regional development policy . Fifteen member states have adopted a common currency , the euro . It has developed a role in foreign policy representing its members in the World Trade Organization , at G8 summits and at the United Nations . Twenty-one EU countries are members of NATO It has developed a role in justice and home affairs , including the abolition of passport control between many member states under the Schengen Agreement

EU operation is a hybrid of intergovernmentalism and supranationalism In certain areas it depends upon agreement between the member states However , it also has supranational bodies , able to make decisions without the agreement of members . Important institutions and bodies of the EU include the European Commission , the European Parliament , the Council of the European Union , the European Council , the European Court of Justice and the European Central Bank . EU citizens elect the Parliament every five years

In line with its traditional Western orientation , relations with Europe have always been a central part of Turkish foreign policy . Turkey became a member of the Council of Europe in 1949 , applied for associate membership of the EEC (predecessor of the...