Europe's growing animosity for Turkey's EU bid

The question over Turkey's membership into the European Union has this week dominated Euro politics, the media, and continues to do so with the meeting held in Brussels, yesterday, to lay out the framework in which the sometimes viewed huge, poor and mainly Muslim country can join the ranks of the EU bloc. There are a number of topics that Turkey must find some closure on before it can proceed to accession talks that have already been scheduled to start on October 3. The Cyprus issue must be tackled ahead of the talks. The concern for over expansion of the EU is also a primary worry. Euro MPs gathered yesterday in Brussels to discuss these issues.As Christian Democrat MEP Elmar Brok put it, "I hope that at least one member state in the council will pull the emergency chord and stop this proposal by the commission. brok is not alone in this sentiment and believes that the commission has not understood what the purpose of their task is, "Today's decision by the Commission on Turkey shows that the Commission has not recognised what its job is, which is to lead the European Union out of its current crisis." Brok is chairman of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee. With the overwhelming victory of the "No" votes in France and the Netherlands many Europeans are showing a strong will against Turkey's accession. Brok continued, ""Turkey is our partner and must have a European perspective," adding, "But it is dangerous to lead either Turkey or the people of the European Union to believe that what was being negotiated from October 3 onwards was full EU membership." The draft of a framework being worked out by Europe as a "roadmap for Turkey's accession" says that it will take at least ten years before any type of membership would be given to Turkey. This still doesn't not guarantee full membership to the Turkish Republic. And even if the negotiations are successful turkey can not join before Europe's long-term budget plans in 2014. Olli Rehn was quoted last week as saying that Europe's enlargement has been "stretched to its limits", however, he also admits that, "it is Europe's interest to have a stable and democratic Turkey." European Commission President Jose Manuel Barrosso has admitted that things are shifting in the european Union and said that the EU would have to consider the sentiment demonstrated recently over Turkey's membership:"We should seriously discuss the signals sent by the electorate regarding Turkey. We need the support of Member States and citizens for the enlargement of the European Union." Rehn also mentioned that negotiations are open to suspension at any time: "We also have the emergency break that allows for a suspension of negotiations if there are persistent breaches of human right or the rule of law in Turkey." The discussion continues. Â