Turkey seeks "Catholic marriage" with Europe

[Digitonomy]

Turkey’s date with destiny

William Horsley, BBC News

The European Union has a rendezvous with history this week. Turkey will be invited to begin talks over the course of next year that will probably lead to its membership in the European Union within about 15 years. Turkey’s entry will mark an epoch-making change, a merger of Christian Europe with the major Muslim power on its doorstep…

Behind the smiles in Brussels, EU leaders know they are launching a geo-political game with high risks.

This decision will change the character of the EU. Britain is among Turkey’s strongest advocates. But many leaders in its founding nations, like France and Germany, fear the end of a cherished dream - to make Europe into a united superpower which could balance the dominance of America…The usual stuff, if you’ve been following this story. But I got a kick out of the Turkish prime minister’s comment:

Asked whether his country was looking for a marriage of convenience or of love with the EU, he replied: “I want a Catholic marriage - one that lasts forever.”