(July 16, 2016 at 7:48 am)Anomalocaris Wrote: I think whether Turkey should be part of EU depends whether EU is content to remain a limited domestic association of second rate powers, or whether the interests of its main participants lies in collectively establishing an geopolitical entity that could give Europe dominating influence in its near abroad and global influence on par with current or future superpower nation states.
That's misunderstanding the concept of the EU. Back in it's early days it was constructed as a community of values. By two former arch enemies. The purpose was to build something depending on common values and human rights.
The charta has further built on that idea. No country can hope to become a member if it still enforces capital punishment. Every country has to respect human rights. Only to mention a select few of the pillars. Flawed as it is, the EU still upholds these values. Turkey doesn't fit in because, apart from no longer enforcing capital punishment, it doesn't meet the standards.