Bloody wars, neighbors attacking each other, and mass casualties litter history in every turn of every century. From the darkest of times, an idea was born. One that hoped to foster not only peace and prosperity, but which would hope to prevent future hostilities from happening as well. This idea grew and eventually blossomed into today’s European Union. “The EU was created in the aftermath of the Second World War. The first steps were to foster economic cooperation: the idea being that countries that trade with one another become economically interdependent and so more likely to avoid conflict,” (European Union, 2018, p. 12). There are currently 28 members in the European Union, however it will drop by one when Great Britain leaves it in 2019. There are many reasons to be for or against the EU, but I personally am for it and I hope that they continue growing and adapting o the changing times.

As the popular saying goes, history repeats itself. Bloody battles have rendered entire areas unlivable and cost and impossible number of people their lives. While the fighting may be predominantly in the middle east, members of the EU have been deeply affected. They have had to take in massive numbers of migrants and asylum seekers, and deal with terrible terrorist attacks by extremists. My family in Germany occasionally tell me about things that happen in their small city due to the influx of Muslim immigrants and asylum seekers. My sister has taken culture classes with many of them, and she has made great friends with them. Some stories are not as friendly. The unfortunate results are not only the terrible loss of life and home, but the perpetuation of misplaced fear. Islamophobia and xenophobia are popular fears among the citizens of the EU. “Religious extremism increases in the Middle East and various countries and regions around the world, leading to unrest and wars which result in many people fleeing their homes and seeking refuge in Europe. The EU is not only faced with the dilemma of how to take care of them, but also finds itself the target of several terrorist attacks,” (European Union, 2017, p. 8). Unfortunately, many EU citizens are not seeing first hand that the extremists do not speak for the whole population of Muslims.

There are a few different strategies that have been brought to light that may help dissolve the fear and bring peace to the region. One of them that I think is a good idea is the accession of a predominantly Muslim country like Turkey into the EU. Turkey has been in the process of becoming a member of the EU since 1963 and have been working hard at it too. “Despite Turkey being a member of NATO and an EU applicant, it has yet to be officially admitted,” (Moran, Abramson, & Moran, 2014, p. 462). Member states such as France and Germany are not eager to incorporate Turkey into the EU due to differences of thought, and the continued idea that Turkey is just too different to fit in. However, the fact that they are different is the very reason why they should gain membership. “While assimilation takes place within the Union, the cultural identity of each member country needs to be preserved as the basis for diverse and enriched European cultural future,” (Moran, Abramson, & Moran, 2014, p. 465).

It will take all kinds of people, all kinds of cultures coming together in community to end these continued hostilities. I don’t think it is right to say that all cultural identities need to be preserved, but then not allow membership to one because they are ‘too different’. I definitely understand adhering to a base-line in order to keep the peace and ensure that core values such as respecting others, human rights, and having a functional economy among many others makes sense. You also much take into account that the EU must protect itself and its current members, it cannot reasonably accept anyone who has a terrible economy and who wont try to fix it, or anyone who disrespects the EU itself. Turkey however has a bustling economy and is just seven criteria points away from meeting them all.

Turning Turkey into a full member of the EU could reduce overall xenophobia. My sister is a prime example. She was nervous at first because of the perpetuated fear, but her in-person experience has gained her some wonderful new friendships. The cooperation and easy trade and travel between Turkey and other members of the EU could be the key to hands on education on Muslim culture. The more people see and experience it, the more they will realize what they have learned may have been exaggerated. “Turkey’s predominantly Muslim population and secular state will contribute to the bloc’s cultural diversity, which in turn could help to alleviate the rise of Islamophobia, xenophobia, and radicalization across the EU,” (Kaymakci, 2017, p. 9).

I believe that once this largely Muslim country is included into the EU that we will see a slow but steady return to peace and prosperity. It will take time of course, but it is a step in the right direction. According to Kaymakci, the ability to travel will allow people-to-people contact which will help the citizens of the EU to have firsthand experiences with Turkish citizens, allowing for the reduction of Xenophobia an islamophobia. It will also allow for even more economic growth since Turkey has a great economy, and aid in security cooperation, counterterrorism strategies, and migration, all of which are extremely important topics to everyone. “Both sides have committed to work together to curb irregular migration, fight the scourge of terrorism, move toward visa liberalization, upgrade the 1996 customs union and keep the accession process alive,” (Kaymakci, 2017, p. 13). Turkey has come a long way and has gone through ups and downs in this process. They still have a little way to go before they meet all of the criteria for membership, but it will be well worth it when they finally do. “Turkey’s accession to the EU might be the most challenging of all processes, past and prospective. But it will be the most beneficial and most meaningful,” (Kaymakci, 2017, p. 21).

References

European Union. (2017, October 24). The history of the European Union. Retrieved from European Union: https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/history_en

European Union. (2018, August 04). The EU in brief. Retrieved from European union: https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/eu-in-brief_en

Kaymakci, F. (2017, July 15). Turkey to the EU: Let’s talk membership. Retrieved from politico: https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-to-the-eu-lets-talk-membership/

Moran, R., Abramson, N., & Moran, S. (2014). Managing Cultural Differences (9th ed.). Abingdon: Routledge.