"Strategic reasons for Turkish EU membership 'unconvincing', says study
10.11.2004 - 09:57 CET | By Honor Mahony The strategic reasoning for arguing in favour of Turkish membership of the European Union is 'not convincing', according to a new study published by a German think-tank.
Reported in Die Welt, the study by the East-European Studies Institute says that because Turkish membership of the EU will bring little economic benefit, the emphasis of the discussion has shifted instead to the strategic benefits.
But, says the report, 'political-strategic arguments are not convincing'. The study goes on to say that Turkey's accession 'is not a way of preventing the 'clash of civilisations''.
It also criticises claims by the German government that a democratic Turkey could be a shining example to Islamic states in the Middle East as 'difficult to understand'.
The study has been picked up by opposition Christian Democrat politicians - who favour Turkey having a 'privileged partnership' with the EU rather than full membership.
Bavaria's Europe minister Eberhard Sinner (CSU) said that the study should be 'required reading for every head of state and government in Europe'."
EUobserver.com