"Will Turkey finally become an EU member?
Kazi Anwarul Masud
After waiting for many years, the European Union has finally invited Turkey to start negotiations from October this year for full membership of the EU. Turkey first applied for associate membership of the European Economic Community in 1957 and signed an Association Agreement in 1963 opening future possibility of full membership. Though the period of completion of the negotiations remains indeterminate, the most recently held European Council's invitation to Turkey to start negotiations could be a turning point in recent European history.
For many Turks, joining the EU is an obsession. Liberals and the business community in Turkey are keen on EU membership because it will promote basic freedoms and economic reforms. Minorities, particularly the Kurds, see EU membership as the best way to secure safety from violation of human rights. According to the State Planning Board of Turkey between 2014-20 Turkish economy will grow at six percent per annum, per capita income will be over $9000, Turkish membership will contribute 386 billion Euros to the EU during this period, and Turkey's imports from EU will amount to more than 150 billion Euros from the current 28 billion. Besides, Turkey can offer a well trained and disciplined work force to Europe's dwindling and aging population."
More:The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 5 Num 225