I don't think that Turkey will get into the EU. A recent poll revealed that the majority no longer wish to join the EU and in any case don't think they ever will. If they DO gain admission (and thats at least 10 years off) it could be a disaster in terms of cost. You only have to look at what happened to Greece in the way of inflation.
I think that a preferred trading partnership would suit Turkey very well. As I am not a Turk, obviously my views shouldn't be considered as they may vary from those of a Turk.
Regarding Ataturk. He is held in great esteem in Turkey for the following (but not all inclusive) reasons (taken from the BBC site but edited)
In May 1919, Atatürk began a nationalist revolution in Anatolia, organising resistance to the peace settlement imposed on Turkey by the victorious Allies. This was particularly focused on resisting Greek attempts to seize Smyrna and its hinterland. Victory over the Greeks enabled him to secure revision of the peace settlement in the Treaty of Lausanne.
In 1921, Atatürk established a provisional government in Ankara. The following year the Ottoman Sultanate was formally abolished and, in 1923, Turkey became a secular republic with Atatürk as its president. He established a single party regime that lasted almost without interruption until 1945.
He launched a programme of revolutionary social and political reform to modernise Turkey. These reforms included the emancipation of women, the abolition of all Islamic institutions and the introduction of Western legal codes, dress, calendar and alphabet, replacing the Arabic script with a Latin one. Abroad he pursued a policy of neutrality, establishing friendly relations with Turkey's neighbours.
In 1935, when surnames were introduced in Turkey, he was given the name Atatürk, meaning 'Father of the Turks'. He died on 10 November 1938.
I don't think that Turkey will get into the EU. A recent poll revealed that the majority no longer wish to join the EU and in any case don't think they ever will. If they DO gain admission (and thats at least 10 years off) it could be a disaster in terms of cost. You only have to look at what happened to Greece in the way of inflation.
I think that a preferred trading partnership would suit Turkey very well. As I am not a Turk, obviously my views shouldn't be considered as they may vary from those of a Turk.
Regarding Ataturk. He is held in great esteem in Turkey for the following (but not all inclusive) reasons (taken from the BBC site but edited)
In May 1919, Atatürk began a nationalist revolution in Anatolia, organising resistance to the peace settlement imposed on Turkey by the victorious Allies. This was particularly focused on resisting Greek attempts to seize Smyrna and its hinterland. Victory over the Greeks enabled him to secure revision of the peace settlement in the Treaty of Lausanne.
In 1921, Atatürk established a provisional government in Ankara. The following year the Ottoman Sultanate was formally abolished and, in 1923, Turkey became a secular republic with Atatürk as its president. He established a single party regime that lasted almost without interruption until 1945.
He launched a programme of revolutionary social and political reform to modernise Turkey. These reforms included the emancipation of women, the abolition of all Islamic institutions and the introduction of Western legal codes, dress, calendar and alphabet, replacing the Arabic script with a Latin one. Abroad he pursued a policy of neutrality, establishing friendly relations with Turkey's neighbours.
In 1935, when surnames were introduced in Turkey, he was given the name Atatürk, meaning 'Father of the Turks'. He died on 10 November 1938.