Anglo-Turkish Society

On October 12, 2010 Osman Streater, one of the long-standing members of the Society gave a talk on Turkey in Europe - the whys and wherefores. This was followed by a question and answer session and then a meal at Sofra restaurant.

From left to right: Betül Ziler, Canan Maxton, Necdet Cilasun, Osman Streater, Gonül Cilasun, Naciye O'Reilly, Desmond O'Reilly, Kabby Streater, Ann Bird, Tülin Warman.
>> read lecture summary:

The story behind 'Turkey In Europe' magazine

In Europe, societies actively promoting friendship with Turkey have a long and distinguished history. The Anglo-Turkish Society in Britain dates back to 1953. In Italy the Italian-Turkish Friendship Society was founded in 1997 and now organises active and effective Media and Economic Forums.

The key transition in societies such as these has been the advance from simply promoting friendship with Turkey, important though that is, to making the case for Turkey's membership of the European Union.

Governments do so. Thus at the start of 2010, Spain began its Presidency of the European Union with the strong assurance of Prime Minister Zapatero that his country 'apoyo y apoyará' (supports and will continue to support) Turkey's membership of the EU.

However, business must also play its part. Hence Turkey in Europe. Turkey in Europe is a business-backed organisation which promotes Turkey's membership of the European Union. The Turkey in Europe Society, and the splendid magazine it publishes, seek to give solid and demonstrable weight to the case for Turkey's membership of the EU.

This follows on the realisation that the EU needs Turkey as much as, or even more than, Turkey needs the EU.

From its base in London, the Turkey In Europe Society and its ever-growing number of supporters, sponsors and advertisers also represent the realisation that silence is not an option.

For example, silence about the size of Turkey's population has in the past led to an argument against Turkey's membership of the EU. So we need actively to explain why the EU very much needs Turkey's young, dynamic and expanding population.

Or again, silence about the beliefs and culture of Turkey's population has in the past led to an argument that Turkey does not belong in Europe. So we need actively to explain that it is no accident that Istanbul is 2010's European Capital of Culture. Indeed, Istanbul has over the centuries been the European Capital of Toleration, and is still home to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Orthodox Church.

So to European business organisations we say, please join us in making the case for Turkey's membership of the European Union. Certainly, membership will benefit Turkey. But it will also benefit the EU, and your country, and very probably your own particular business organisation as well.

In short, Turkey's membership of the European Union will benefit Europe.

Osman Streater, October 2010

Philip Mansel