EU: Deep public misgivings over the prospect of Turkish membership of the European Union poured into the open yesterday as European Parliament members clashed on whether the poor, mainly Muslim state had a place in Europe.
"If Turkey were to join the Union, it would be a very different EU . . . we all need to be aware of that," said Mr Hans-Gert Poettering, leader of the parliament's centre-right bloc.
Others said Ankara's human rights were not up to European standards in areas from jails to treatment of minorities. "There is torture in Turkey and the situation of women is appalling. That's not to mention the Kurdish issue," said German conservative Ms Renate Sommer of persistent allegations of Turkish mistreatment of its Kurdish population.
Even firm backers of accession talks insisted Ankara would have to be monitored closely to make sure it was implementing the reforms it agreed to. "What we want to see is Ankara democratic. This is not a rubber stamp," said communist Mr Francis Wurtz of France.
But some argued Turkish membership would send a signal of reconciliation. "Those divisions need not cause us to stand in our own separate circles," said Mr Brian Crowley of Fianna Fáil. "Instead of the clash of civilisation, we should be talking about the dignity of difference."
Popular reaction in Turkey, meanwhile, was relaxed. In Istanbul's main Taksim Square, locals worried if existing member-states might block their accession.
The news brought a smile to the face of Mr Cemil Aydogmus as he sold Turkish flags on what is the anniversary of Istanbul's liberation from Allied occupation in 1923. "I am very happy that this day has come at last. Turkey can stand on its own two feet but I think we have a lot to gain from entering the European Union," the 49-year-old said.