Maud de Belgique se demande pourquoi l'entr�e de la Turquie dans l'UE pose autant de probl�mes. H�l�ne Flautre r�pond � sa question.H�l�ne Flautre, France, Verts/Alliance Libre Europ�enne, Turquie, adh�sion, Union europ�enne, crit�re, d�mocratie, int�grat

En coulisses: Parlez-moi de l'entr�e de la Turquie dans l'UE

Hello, I've just met Maud, who has   a question on Turkey's entry to the EU.

Why is Turkey's entry to the EU   such a problem?

I've been asked the same question   by many of you.

I put the question to Hélène Flautre,   an MEP who deals with Turkey.

It's not my opinion,   but many people in Europe think

that the EU is based on Christian values.

Already in 1963 a promise was made to   Turkey that one day it could join.

No date was given, but future   membership was promised.

Since this promise, which still hasn't   been kept, many things have happened.

In the end official candidate status,   recognised by everyone,

We've been negotiating since then.   It's a lengthy process.

But why are talks   taking such a long time?

It's been difficult because Turkey   was ruled by the army,

which controlled   the justice system, press,

Obviously while the situation was like that   we couldn't start membership talks.

The situation was so bad   for the use of torture for example

that we decided not to start negotiations.

In the end,   the EU did start discussions.

But to become a Member State,   Turkey has to do lots of things.

To find out about enlargement,   join us in the next Backstage. Until then!