'A Muslim country will benefit Europe'
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Your support makes all the difference.As Turkey hailed the prospect of joining the European Union, all eyes were on the economic benefits and increasing democracy the country hopes the move will bring.
As Turkey hailed the prospect of joining the European Union, all eyes were on the economic benefits and increasing democracy the country hopes the move will bring.
There was a celebratory mood in a country whose people have found themselves torn between the cultural benefits of retaining ties with their Islamic neighbours in the east and the economic rewards of forging closer ties with the West.
Many credited the Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for driving through political reforms to move Turkey closer to Europe and pave the way for membership.
Mr Erdogan's tough negotiating skills, which he used to convince EU leaders to begin membership talks next October, were also praised.
Turkey has only recently emerged from a severe recession, and unemployment and inflation remain high. The per capita income is less than a third of the European average.
Although membership of the EU is at least a decade away, Turks believe the start of talks will bring economic stability and foreign investment.
But there are fears that they will meet with hostility from Europeans concerned at the potential volume of Turkish migration to richer countries and distrustful of Islam. Despite being officially secular, 99 per cent of the 70 million Turkish population are Muslims.
Recep Sahin, who runs a jewellery store which complies with Islamic Shariah law, said: "It's normal for Europe to fear our religion. But a Muslim country is to Europe's benefit. We're Muslim and European."
One suburb away in the fashionable Beyoglu district, with its turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau buildings and abundance of bars and restaurants, wealthy residents were equally enthusiastic about the move towards formally joining Europe.
"Joining the EU means more social and political freedoms," said Cigdem Taskiran, 28, dining with her husband Turan.
Mr Taskiran pointed to Turkey's poor human rights record, which has long frustrated Turkey's EU bid. "We are a young country, and we lack Europe's enlightenment, but the EU process will help us. Turkey is now fulfilling its destiny. We are Europeans taking our place in Europe."
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