2. Main Body

 policies).

• To possess a functioning market economy that can cope with

 competitive pressures and market forces within the Union.

The new members have to follow a negotiation process to access to the Union. This process establishes the conditions under which the applicant country will become a member of the Union.

Firstly, to participate from the first day in the institutional structures which run the Union.

They celebrate elections in their countries to obtain a representative of their country, which will be send to the European Parliament, and each nominates a member of the European Commission.

The ministers of their government take part in the Council of the European Union, with  the ministers of the other member states.

Their languages become official languages of the Union.

Secondly, being part of the Union means to have access to the EU programs and funds, therefore the limited resources of the Union give priority to the most needy.

One of the most affected countries in this matter by the enlargement is Spain, because the Union will diminish financial support for Spain and give priority to the new members.

                

        2.1.2 Using these criteria, analyse the possible

                 accession to the E.U of Turkey.

The Turkish access to the EU is a delicate subject with a lot of arguments which talk against the incorporation.

The European Union will begin the negotiations with Turkey, if it meets the ´political criteria´ regarding democracy, human rights, rule of law, respect and protection of minorities.

Turkey hasn’t religious liberty for his citizens, which is an inheritance of the government of Ataturk.

The Turkish army is responsible for guaranteeing the division of the political power and the religious power, and it also has an important role in the decision making system.

The political culture of Turkey is quite different of the occidental democracy, for example: the discrimination of the Kurdies and the none muslims, the prohibition to talk or write about the extermination of the Armenian during the First World War and the corruption.

This is also shown by the recent confrontation between Turkey and Greece a Member of the Union.

The dimensions of Turkey are also a concerning factor for the Union.

Nowadays the population reaches almost the 70 millions of inhabitants, but in 10 years the foresight of inhabitants is of 82 millions, like Germany at present.

The new Constitutional Treaty gives more power to the countries with most population, and this would mean that Turkey would be the country with most weight in decision making in the Union. 

The weakness of the Turkish economy is one of the main hurdles to solve.

Turkey has the average per capita income of 22% of the UE. For example the poorest country of the 10 new members, Latvia, has a average of 33%.

The agriculture in Turkey has a Gross added value of 12,1 and in the rest of the Union the average is 2,1.

All this represents a problem with distribution of the EU funds. This poverty has been provocating movements of emigration which above all affected Germany with 2,5 million Turkeys.

The main influence of the Turkish culture is the muslim religion. And this would create a huge threat for the Union at present, due to the islamic terrorism which attacked New York and Madrid.

But on the other hand maybe it could be a way to help this islamic countries and citizens to develop and focus on other things than religion.

In conclusion the access will be very complicated and will cost a lot of negotiations, and there is still a long way to go for Turkey.

We think that a privileged collaboration would be better as a access with discriminating conditions.

           2.1.3 What are the benefits and non-benefits  

                  for the EU as a result of it´s 2004

                  enlargement.

The political, economic and cultural benefits of the enlargement are:

• The role of the Union in world affairs will be strengthen: trade policy, security policy, etc.

• The EU will be enriched through the increased cultural diversity, interchange of ideas, and a better understanding of other people.

• The enlargement of the Union means a addition of more than 100 million citizens, this would mean a 470 million market which would boost economic growth and create jobs in the whole Union.

• Stabled democracies have been created in Central and Eastern Europe.

• An enhance of the respect for minorities.

• A economic growth for both parts, the newcomers and the current member states.

The non-benefits of the enlargement:

• The entrance of illegal immigrants through the new member states.

• The threat of the jobs of western citizens, owing to the flow of workers from the east member states which work for lower wages.

• The big competence for the western market from the cheaper products of the new members.

• Maybe the enlargement slow European integration or make disappear current achievements.

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