Turkey in the EU?

Like George W Bush, Barack Obama is in favour of Turkish accession to the EU. That’s grand, though those American progressives who would like to see europe do more, not less and project a more, not less unified approach to all manner of international issues – be they fiscal or military – should remember that Turkish membership makes a common european policy on just about any issue less, not more likely. For that reason, of course, so-called “euro-sceptics” ought to be enthusiasts for Turkish membership.

Con Coughlin adds this reason for welcoming Turkish membership:

Countries like France should also recognise that Turkish membership would strengthen, not weaken, the EU alliance, as it would provide an invaluable balwark against the more threatening Islamic governments that lie further to the East.

Perhaps so. But there’s a simpler reason for, on balance, favouring Turkish membership: the EU has been a boon to freedom and there’s much to be said for expanding its borders to give more people the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of membership.