Pros Cons

Turkey is geographically important, it can

handle the Middle East better than other
European countries.
Turkey would be a good military addition.
It has 1500 military personnel fighting in
Afghanistan.
Turks already changed to fit into the EU.
They already abolished the death penalty
and introduced tougher measures against
torture, it also helps reforms for women.
Key pipelines bring oil and gas from Asia.
Large amounts of Turkish people are
familiar with European customs.
Turkey joining the EU could be a pro by
the expansion of religious beliefs.
Culturally Turkey is not European, it is
Islamic, while other European countries
are Christian.
Turkey is not rich enough to join, it will
cost taxpayers in other countries more
money if Turkey is allowed to come into
the EU.
People with Islamic beliefs combining
with other religions in the EU could be
bad because the religions might not all
get along.
Complaints about turkey not being
respectful of human rights based on the
treatment of the Armenians after WW1.
Allowing Turkey to join would allow a
wave of immigrants into Europe.
Turkeys territorial claim on northern
Cyprus is not accepted by Greece and
others in Europe, it would cause tension.
Turkey is a huge country, it would have
too much power in the EU.