Verheugen: EU backtracking on Turkey is “pure populism”

INTERVIEW: Verheugen: EU backtracking on Turkey is “pure populism” – Monsters and Critics

Turkey’s Chief EU Negotiator Meets European Lawmakers

Kasoulides offers his seat to Turkish Cypriots if there is a settlement

fby SELÇUK GÜLTAŞLI
One of the most senior Greek Cypriot politicians, Ioannis Kasoulides, has announced that he would give his European Parliament seat to a Turkish Cypriot if the two sides reach an agreement to settle the Cyprus problem, which is among the most difficult issues facing the international community.

EU report: Turkish Cypriots more pessimistic about future – People’s Daily Online

Turkey needs a civilian constitution, PACE President says (TurkishPress.com)

from Yahoo news
The new chairman of PACE, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, arrived to Ankara on February 1 to held contacts with Turkish leaders regarding vital concerns of Turkey?s agenda such as the human rights and a civilian constitution.

A new energy in the EU membership process

by KERİM BALCI

Can Turkey adopt a new strategy that will fulfill all the requirements of the 35 chapters of the EU membership negotiation process in four years regardless of the fact that more than half of the chapters are either blocked or are suspended?

Stockholm, broken promises and the EU

by SUAT KINIKLIOĞLU

Stockholm is the capital of Scandinavia. Over the last couple of days the beautiful city of Stockholm not only hosted a high-level meeting between Turks, Europeans and Americans, but also demonstrated how graciously it can host a gathering organized by the German Marshall Fund and its partners.

The Tax Discourse (Or, Lack Thereof)

from Turkish Politics in Action by Ragan Updegraff

I sometimes think of Turkey as the Texas of Europe, and Turkey’s regressive tax policies give me all the more reason to draw the comparison. Liam Hardy at American Anatolian Viewpoint takes a look at Turkish tax structures, writing that taxes here are not as widely debated as in the United States. I wonder why this is so, particularly when Turkey’s reliance on regressive taxes disadvantages workers. Is this one more result of the lack of a viable Turkish Left? Are there studies providing more concrete information about how Turkey’s tax system affects social inequalities? Who is empowered by Turkey’s tax system, and who all is hurt?

Improved U.S.-Turkish Relations Are Vital to Better Security in the Persian Gulf and Middle East, RAND Study Finds

Jean-Pierre Lehmann: Turkey to the EU?s Rescue

from Project Syndicate
The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference was an unmitigated disaster for the EU, exposing its marginalization on the world stage. But there is one thing that could revive the EU, give it much enhanced global respectability, and make it an ?interesting? place, as well as ensure a return to the international limelight: Turkey?s admission as a full member.

4 thoughts on “Verheugen: EU backtracking on Turkey is “pure populism””

  1. Verheugen is the populist guy. He talks nice about Turkey..but in the end, he suddenly put Cyprus on the table…))
    Turkey gets this year 700 million ? to adapt itself to EU laws…thats more than Haiti gets to overcome their disaster. And dear Erkan, your PM and FM are getting nuts! Insane.
    Turkey’s economy is driven by 60% of FDI…90% of the EU. Does The EU needs Turkey? Of course, as a market. But not how they make decision based upon ‘Islam’ views etc.
    And we dont need fist fights in EU parliament.))

    Reply
    • Hey …, $700 million is pocket change to a country of 70 million, works out to be $10 per person. It is part of the accession process, money all the eu governments recieved when joining. Compare that with the 5.5 billion given to Greece every year with a population of 11 million, or the 3-4 billion given to Israel and egypt every year. So dont make it sound like financial aid dipshit. 50% of exports are to the EU not 90%. Turkish economy is driven by alot of different things, FDI, agriculture, tourism, industry, go do a little study then start barking.

      Reply
  2. Murat, did you get an education? Starting yelling.
    I’m sure that that 700 million is not enough only to change some laws. As usual, Europeans are obliged to Pay people Like you…
    Pardon me! The TR economy is even in worse shape than the Greece one! And be happy that 50% of the TR economy is driven on FDI. There is more money coming in Turkey than those 700 E for adaping some laws, but I’m not sure if that even can be handled without foreign interference.
    Stop yelling, screaming and dreaming.

    Reply

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