From Mr A. Sciberras

There are many reasons why we should be against the entry of Turkey in the EU. Turkey’s membership will harm Malta (and the rest of the EU) in many ways and bring many problems such as:

• Tremendous financial costs

• Political instability

• Cultural shocks

• Demographic changes

• Uncontrollable immigration

Let’s take a look at the financial aspect. Turkey is a country with a population of 75 million people (which is approximately the population of all the 10 new EU member States put together). It is estimated that in 10 years time its population will surpass that of Germany, thus possibly becoming the EU’s largest State. Its economy is still far behind the EU’s average. Let me give some economical facts about Turkey:

• GDP per capita (2004 est.) $7,400 (Malta’s GDP per capita in 2004 was $18,200 while the EU’s average was $26,900).

• 35.9 per cent of Turkish workers work in the agricultural sector while only 4.5 per cent of the EU’s workers work in this sector.

• Turkey’s public debt is 74.3 per cent of its own GDP. The EU’s regulations stipulate that this figure should not exceed the 60 per cent. Even Malta’s figure is below Turkey’s figure. Keep in mind that Turkey will have to take out more loans in order to develop, therefore the 74.3 per cent figure is extremely high for a country that still needs to invest billions in infrastructure.

• Turkey’s inflation rate is 9.3 per cent. The EU’s average is 2.1 per cent while Malta’s is 2.9 per cent at present. Keep in mind that there is also a EU law which states that inflation must be kept below the three per cent figure.

These figures should definitely make you understand that Turkey’s accession to the EU will affect the EU’s economy in the same way that an anchor would affect a moving boat. It’s true that Turkey’s economy grew by over eight per cent last year, but it is also true that Turkey would still need half a century to make the EU’s average.

However, the financial aspect is just one of the reasons why we should not accept Turkey in the EU. Another aspect is the geographical one. Twenty years ago Morocco applied to join the EU, but its application was rejected. The reason given was that the EU was (and still is) a union of European nations, therefore to be part of the EU you must be part of the European continent.

If you take a look at Turkey’s map you will see that only three per cent of Turkey is part of Europe. The other 97 per cent is part of Asia. In fact, during Roman times Turkey was known as Anatolia or Asia Minor. Now tell me, why should we accept an Asian country in the EU? Don’t you think that such a decision could be a dangerous precedent that will attract other non-European countries (mainly Arab ones) to apply for EU membership? We won’t be able to tell them no since we would have accepted Turkey. Reflect on this point.

Another factor we should take into account is security. The countries on Turkey’s borders to the east are unstable or fundamentalist countries such as Iran, Syria and Iraq. Do you believe that the EU would be safer with such borders? I don’t think so.

There’s also the cultural aspect. Turkey is a Muslim country while Europe is predominantly Christian. It’s obvious that the two religions are incompatible. Centuries of wars have proved this. Turkey may seem secular but its population isn’t. Remember that Turkey is not just Istanbul (which appears a western city). The people of Central and Eastern Turkey are devout Muslims and this will make it difficult for Turkey to integrate in the EU. There can be cooperation between the EU and Turkey, but membership would be far too much. Muslims all over Europe are not integrating with European society. Why should the Turks be different? In Germany there are millions of Turks and they have definitely not integrated.

You might tell me that the Turks will remain in Turkey. The answer is simply no. Last year a survey was carried out (and reported on Euronews) which showed that 44 per cent of the Turks (44 per cent of 75 million) would be willing to emigrate to Europe. Isn’t 44 per cent a lot?

There’s also the historical aspect. Turkey was Europe’s enemy for centuries. You might tell me that times have changed. True. However, Turkey still remained the ultra nationalistic State with an imperial mentality. A century ago Turkey carried out the genocide of 1.5 million Christian Armenians. Today, in 2005, they still haven’t accepted the responsibility for this. Why should we accept a country that has still not come to terms with its violent past?

Remember also that this is the same country which invaded Cyprus in 1974. Northern Cyprus is still occupied by 40,000 soldiers of the Turkish army. To add insult to injury, Turkey does not recognise the legitimate Cypriot government (which is an EU member).

These are the main reasons why I am against Turkey’s membership in the EU. Don’t get me wrong. I’m fully in favour of trade cooperation, but I will never be in favour of Turkey’s membership.

I would like to conclude by saying that if the Maltese government (and also the Opposition) respect the Maltese people they should promise that when the time comes they will let the Maltese people decide (by means of a referendum)

whether Malta should vote in favour or against Turkey’s membership. This is our right.

Andrew Sciberras

HAMRUN