Turkey, known as the bridge between East and West, is set to call elections in June next year and is still holding on to hopes of being able to join the European Union.

This debate has been going on for decades now. The Islamist ruling party has implemented some of the reforms which are necessary for Turkey to qualify for EU membership, particularly in areas related to justice, respect of human rights and democracy.

But there is a huge sticking point. Only a very small portion of Turkey’s territory is on the European Continental plate. There is one major city there, the giant which is Istanbul. Istanbul was originally founded by the Greeks as the city of Byzantium in 600 BC. It was incorporated into the Roman Empire in 73 AD and was renamed Constantinople in 324 AD. It was conquered by the Crusaders between 1204 and 1261, but was taken by the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Mehmet II in 1453. It remained the capital of the Empire till 1923 and was renamed Istanbul in 1930.

Up to the sacking of the city in 1453, it had always been ‘European’. When the Sultanate was abolished following the end of the independence wars in 1922, it became somewhat European once more as Kemal Ataturk proceeded to reinvent the country under the banner of secularism, gender equality and abolishment of the Arabic script. The country officially separated religion from politics in 1925.

If one were to look at Turkey in its infancy, it was founded on the principles of France and its laws were derived from European codes. The Turkish Civil Code is based on that of Switzerland while the Criminal Code is based on Italian law. But its capital is Ankara, firmly on the Anatolian plate, which is part of Asia.

In 2008, the ruling Justice and Development Party was hauled to court over its Islamist roots, because it was perceived to be in breach of the Constitution, insomuch that by default, an Islamist Party cannot be secularist. The court fell short by one vote of ruling that the party should be disbanded. It required seven votes, but only had six. In the meantime, official positions on Turkey’s membership of the EU have changed repeatedly, with the latest issue being declarations by France and Austria to hold referendums on the matter. France even changed its Constitution to allow for this to happen.

In the meantime, many other countries still see the Cyprus impasse as being a major obstacle to Turkey’s joining the bloc. As matters stand, Turkey is the only country to recognise Turkish Cyprus and this is seen as being a crucial factor in the failure to reunite the island.

It is a very odd state of affairs. Turkey first applied to join the EU in the 1980s and was one of the first members of the Council of Europe. But if Europe had to be truly honest with itself, is it Turkey’s geography, the Cyprus issue, or the mere fact that this nation – a future potential powerhouse – not regarded as European enough?

Is it because the Turks have a somewhat fiery temperament that reminds us of neighbouring Iraq and Iran? Is it because their women are now more openly – excuse the contradiction in terms – wearing hijab headscarves? Is it because the ruling party is Islamic? Is it because Turkey lags way behind in terms of development and economy?

In reality, it is probably a combination of all the above that has not provided for Turkey’s accession. The EU has said not before 2013, but many refuse to be drawn into setting a date. Whatever the case may be, whether good, bad or indifferent, Turkey’s accession to the union would create a whole new reality. Imagine a Europe that borders Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, Syria and disputed Kurdish lands… that will be the new reality.