The EU in the International Arena and the Role of Turkey
pared to Turkey; and its absorption into the Union at the present time is negligible. An enlargement to include a country the size of Turkey is a huge enterprise and the present situation inside the EU has to improve tremendously before it becomes able to accommodate Turkey. Besides all the weaknesses that I mentioned in the EU’s “one voice” foreign policy, these will be further accentuated with the eventual accession of Turkey to the EU. Their distinct—and for Turkey very important —foreign policy would be yet another cacophonous voice, as was demonstrated regarding the sanctions for Iran, the treatment of Hamas, or the difficulties agreeing on NATO involvement in Libya. It must be made clear that the EU has no imperialistic aspirations, nor is it trying to woo countries. It is the other way around. Neither is the enlargement a merger but an accession process based on rules laid down by the EU alone and according to EU principles
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IOANNIS KASOULIDES