Cyprus-Forum.com

[Tim Drayton]

"What attracts this Western investment is that Turkey is in a customs union with the EU. Whether or not Turkey eventually accedes to full membership is irrelevant to these investors."

That is partly true. However, long term stability is at issue here and if there is one thing investors want, its long term stability. With Cyprus problem unsolved there is no guarantee of long term stability. Also, with growing islamisation in Turkey (with the blessings of the AKP), this can only lead to radical islamist groups taking hold in Turkey. You only have to look at the mess Pakistan has got itself in - a country which is close to collapse.

So you are saying that only two options face Turkey - either accede to the EU and achieve stability, or stay outside the EU but nevertheless with very close ties to the union (remember that even the most Turkophobic voices among the Eurpean political classes are calling for a close partnership with Turkey, not for total expulsion), in which case instability is inevitable. That is a very simplistic and false dichotomy.

[Tim Drayton]

...if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Turkey is going to lead Asia? In what, hashish production?

There r some strong signs, attempts and developments show that under leading role of Turkey, a multifacetted Asian Union can be established in 2 to 5 years time. On the other hand there r attempts and intentions of Japan and China to establish an Asian Union.

I note with interest a report in a Turkish business newspaper that Russia, Iran and Turkey are planning to introduce a common currency which will be used in those countries and the whole of the Russian Federation.

http://www.dunyagazetesi.com.tr/haber.a ... 140&cDate=

[YFred]

...if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Turkey is going to lead Asia? In what, hashish production?

There r some strong signs, attempts and developments show that under leading role of Turkey, a multifacetted Asian Union can be established in 2 to 5 years time. On the other hand there r attempts and intentions of Japan and China to establish an Asian Union.

I note with interest a report in a Turkish business newspaper that Russia, Iran and Turkey are planning to introduce a common currency which will be used in those countries and the whole of the Russian Federation.

http://www.dunyagazetesi.com.tr/haber.a ... 140&cDate=

Who was it that was predicting imminent collapse of Turkey not so long ago?

[insan]

...if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Turkey is going to lead Asia? In what, hashish production?

There r some strong signs, attempts and developments show that under leading role of Turkey, a multifacetted Asian Union can be established in 2 to 5 years time. On the other hand there r attempts and intentions of Japan and China to establish an Asian Union.

I note with interest a report in a Turkish business newspaper that Russia, Iran and Turkey are planning to introduce a common currency which will be used in those countries and the whole of the Russian Federation.

http://www.dunyagazetesi.com.tr/haber.a ... 140&cDate=

That's the way it should be Tim... EU does not have a vital importance for Turkey...

[Tim Drayton]

...if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Turkey is going to lead Asia? In what, hashish production?

There r some strong signs, attempts and developments show that under leading role of Turkey, a multifacetted Asian Union can be established in 2 to 5 years time. On the other hand there r attempts and intentions of Japan and China to establish an Asian Union.

I note with interest a report in a Turkish business newspaper that Russia, Iran and Turkey are planning to introduce a common currency which will be used in those countries and the whole of the Russian Federation.

http://www.dunyagazetesi.com.tr/haber.a ... 140&cDate=

That's the way it should be Tim... EU does not have a vital importance for Turkey...

I do not entirely agree with that view, either. The customs union between Turkey and the EU is permanent and is not contingent on eventual full membership. Turkey will continue to have very strong ties with the EU whatever happens.

[Paphitis]

...if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Turkey is going to lead Asia? In what, hashish production?

There r some strong signs, attempts and developments show that under leading role of Turkey, a multifacetted Asian Union can be established in 2 to 5 years time. On the other hand there r attempts and intentions of Japan and China to establish an Asian Union.

I note with interest a report in a Turkish business newspaper that Russia, Iran and Turkey are planning to introduce a common currency which will be used in those countries and the whole of the Russian Federation.

http://www.dunyagazetesi.com.tr/haber.a ... 140&cDate=

That's the way it should be Tim... EU does not have a vital importance for Turkey...

Really????

What about the Customs Union?

And if the EU is not important to Turkey, why not end this Customs Union? Why did Turkey apply for full membership in the EU.

Face it Insan. The EU is vital for Turkey and you know this!

[Get Real!]

...if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Turkey is going to lead Asia? In what, hashish production?

There r some strong signs, attempts and developments show that under leading role of Turkey, a multifacetted Asian Union can be established in 2 to 5 years time. On the other hand there r attempts and intentions of Japan and China to establish an Asian Union.

??? Insan, you're out of touch with what commercial leadership is all about...

First and foremost you need to have the financial muscle, second the infrastructure, third the connections, and finally the know-how!

Turkey has none of the above and compared to the REAL Asian powerhouses, she's a third-world tossing.

[Tim Drayton]

...if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Turkey is going to lead Asia? In what, hashish production?

There r some strong signs, attempts and developments show that under leading role of Turkey, a multifacetted Asian Union can be established in 2 to 5 years time. On the other hand there r attempts and intentions of Japan and China to establish an Asian Union.

I note with interest a report in a Turkish business newspaper that Russia, Iran and Turkey are planning to introduce a common currency which will be used in those countries and the whole of the Russian Federation.

http://www.dunyagazetesi.com.tr/haber.a ... 140&cDate=

That's the way it should be Tim... EU does not have a vital importance for Turkey...

Really????

What about the Customs Union?

And if the EU is not important to Turkey, why not end this Customs Union? Why did Turkey apply for full membership in the EU.

Face it Insan. The EU is vital for Turkey and you know this!

Surveys show a consistent drop in support for EU membership among the Turkish public over the past few years, so the man in the street there clearly does not share your view.

[insan]

...if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Turkey is going to lead Asia? In what, hashish production?

There r some strong signs, attempts and developments show that under leading role of Turkey, a multifacetted Asian Union can be established in 2 to 5 years time. On the other hand there r attempts and intentions of Japan and China to establish an Asian Union.

I note with interest a report in a Turkish business newspaper that Russia, Iran and Turkey are planning to introduce a common currency which will be used in those countries and the whole of the Russian Federation.

http://www.dunyagazetesi.com.tr/haber.a ... 140&cDate=

That's the way it should be Tim... EU does not have a vital importance for Turkey...

Really????

What about the Customs Union?

And if the EU is not important to Turkey, why not end this Customs Union? Why did Turkey apply for full membership in the EU.

Face it Insan. The EU is vital for Turkey and you know this!

Customs Union with EU was in the interests of both sides and it will be maintained as long as both sides have interests. I'm not arguing that Turkey should immediately halt her multifacetted, traditional ties with Europe and completely focus on establishing multifacetted relations with East.

Turkey applied for full membership of EU because:

1- Basic principles of ROT envisage a modernization through a westernization process. The fact is that EU is not what it used to was. EU with it's rapidly aging and degenerating population is going through a disastrous collapse.

2- ROT's strong, multifacetted relations with USA and NATO. It is a fact that EU founded by US with Marshall and Truman doctrines. ROT's efforts to full EU membership arise from her, EU's and US' global policies. However if those global policies are not adequately in favour of ROT, why should Turkey insist on EU membership process which dates back to 50s?

Therfore, Turkey will without any haste or worry continue talking for full EU membership. The talks have great impact on modernization and democratization of Turkey that's all what matters for governments of Turkey. Every country acts in direction of their own interests and this is what keeps the relations of countries with each other. How much interests they have on each other, that much the relations r got intensed, shaped and developed on multifaceted grounds.

[YFred]

...if Turkey keeps looking at West and East simultaneously but on the other hand leads the establishment of an Asian Union.

Turkey is going to lead Asia? In what, hashish production?

There r some strong signs, attempts and developments show that under leading role of Turkey, a multifacetted Asian Union can be established in 2 to 5 years time. On the other hand there r attempts and intentions of Japan and China to establish an Asian Union.

I note with interest a report in a Turkish business newspaper that Russia, Iran and Turkey are planning to introduce a common currency which will be used in those countries and the whole of the Russian Federation.

http://www.dunyagazetesi.com.tr/haber.a ... 140&cDate=

That's the way it should be Tim... EU does not have a vital importance for Turkey...

I do not entirely agree with that view, either. The customs union between Turkey and the EU is permanent and is not contingent on eventual full membership. Turkey will continue to have very strong ties with the EU whatever happens.

But if they are planning a common currency, does that not suggest that Turkey has given up on joining Euro, Or are they planning to include Russia and Iran into the EU too?