Turkey's Hopes and Fears
33 minutes, 2005
Ref: 513

With 72 million inhabitants, Turkey has two things that Europe sorely needs: a fast-growing economy and a young population - both attractive prospects for a graying Europe in the economic doldrums. But most of Turkey's inhabitants are Muslims, and the country has a long tradition of emigration. This has many Europeans worried about the implications of Turkish entry. Turkey is an unusual country. It is a secular State with a Muslim majority and has historically provided a bridge between Christianity and Islam. Turkey's history is inextricably bound with Europe. Until comparatively recently, its dominions extended from the Caucasus to the gates of Vienna. It is therefore no surprise that the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has eagerly embraced the "Alliance of Civilizations" initiative as put forth by Spain's President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. This fascinating report looks at the Turks, their dreams, and how they fit into the European jigsaw. Can the Turks be considered truly European? What distinguishes them from other Europeans? Are they really so different from the rest of us? These are just some of the questions that this report tries to answer.