European boundaries have changed through the years and the word Europe has been used since a long time ago. The geographical version of Europe continued changing during the middle ages till it took its modern form in the 18th century. Today this continent is growing larger and it has become quite impossible to make clear where does it lie exactly. Europe cannot continue enlarging because this is going to bring new problems. European leaders should be more careful about the selection of the states which want to be members of the European Union. Putting limits in this case is appropriate. They should also consider the inclusion of Turkey in the EU as a European country.
We have heard many times about the issue of including Turkey in the European Union. Many journalists have given their opinion about this issue with the correspondent arguments. They are not the only ones who discuss a lot about that. The European leaders cannot finish their debate yet. This issue raises itself the most important point covered by this reading: “What is Europe”. To decide whether Turkey should join or not the EU, we have to define first the European boundaries. By making them clear, European leaders will stop arguing about a question that concerns them: Is Turkey part of Europe? European boundaries have changed through years and the word Europe has been used since a long time ago. In the ancient era Europe was considered the land of mountains, cold, and barbarian expanses which lay to the north, west and east of today Greek’s land. The Romans did not consider themselves Europeans. This is very unusual for us today because we know from history that a considerable part of European culture derives from the values, law, literature, and in general the culture of the Roman Empire.
The geographical version of Europe continued changing during the middle ages till it took its modern form in the 18th century. Those times it was considered an area that offers balance between power and nation-states. This was a desired standard for many years but it couldn’t be kept because of the army confrontation between states. That fact led to the situation that we face today, a desperate attempt to define what Europe is.
Today this continent is growing larger and it has become quite impossible to make clear where does it lie exactly. There comes also the problem of the identity. At the same time with the enlargement Europeans are losing their identity. What should they call themselves?
When Romano Prodi was president of the European Commission, he said that each enlargement brings new neighbors. I think that Europe can not continue enlarging because this is going to bring new problems. European leaders should be more careful about the selection of the states which want to be members of the European Union. Putting limits in this case is appropriate.
Regarding the case of Turkey, I think that the inclusion of this state in the EU would bring positive effects. This country indeed has a different culture and way of life from the other part of the EU, but I think that it has many things to give to Europe. The change of experience is a good thing in this case. We have to notice that there are countries in Europe which have similar cultures with the Turkish one. According to the history, I think that we have to think about Turkey as a European country.
Regarding the main issue of this reading, I think that European leaders should concord about what to call a European country and a European citizen.