Chapter 14 Turkey and the European Union

1. Chapter 14Turkey and the European Union Global Issue II

2. Introduction • There are a few arguments for Turkey’s acceptance into the EU • Turkish Ottoman Empire’s rule in the region • Contribution to culture • There are several obstacles to Turkey’s acceptance into the European Union (EU) • Armenian genocide • Tension Turkey and Cyprus • Turkey is a poor country

3. Turkey’s History:The Ottoman Empire • One of the world’s greatest powers until the end of the 17th century • Extended from North Africa to Mesopotamia (Iraq) • Laid claim to land in the Balkans and Vienna • Downfall began in the 16th century with the modernization of Europe • Technology fell behind • Loss of First Balkan War

4. Biggest Obstacles to EU Membership • Refusal to acknowledge the genocide of Armenians during World War I • Armenians still demand a formal apology for the massacre in 1915 • The EU wants Turkey to make retribution as Germany did for the Holocaust • Tension between Turkey and Cyprus • Due to Greek-Turkish War in the 1920’s • Turkey is a poor country • Average per capita income is $12,300, EU average is $33,000 • Turkey is a Muslim country • This should be a reason to be admitted as much culture, such as coffee shops, have come from the Turkish