It is time for the countries of Europe to overcome their fear of Islam; time for them to stop turning Turkish, Albanian, Bosnian EU membership into a cultural battleground. The only criteria to membership should be those of Copenhagen (1993) – and comission report(2009) mentioned that Turkey, Albania, Bosnia is very close to satisfying them.
European politicians are ready to ignore their countries' long-term socioeconomic needs in order to respond to the short-term religious and cultural fears of their constituencies. Millions of women and men are already European and Muslim; Turkish EU membership would be nothing new, and present no dangers. Islam is, de facto, a European religion; culturally, politically and economically, Turkey forms an integral part of its future.
We need courageous European politicians who will develop a new vision of Albanian, Bosnian, Turkish-EU relations, who will remind their citizens that Albania, Kosova, Bosnia, Turkey, by virtue of its economic powers, geography, history and natural position as go-between with the "Muslim world", is a major asset for Europe and for its future. Instead of waiting until historical necessity forces the EU to incorporate Turkey, Albania, Kosova, Bosnia.
European statesmen should be working together to develop a clear, reasonable policy leading to Turkish, Albanian, Bosnian membership.
One that would respect political principles and recognise cultural and religious diversity. Welcoming Albania, Kosova, Bosnia,Turkey into the EU would mean Europe would have to reconcile itself with its own principles
The principles it has all too often betrayed in practice.
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