For Europe, Turkey is a bridge between the Muslim East and the Christian West. But what is in it for Turkey?

The European Union is demanding a radical overhaul of Turkey's human rights and legal system with no guarantee of the big financial handouts afforded to other member states.

Panellists • Murat Belge, a university professor and civil rights activist • Zekeriya Akcam, a member of parliament from the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) • Bedri Baycam, a member of the main opposition party (CHP) and one of Turkey's best known artists • Umit Boyner, an Istanbul businesswoman, a member of the executive board of Boyner Holdings and a board member of TUSIAD, Turkey's biggest association of business leaders

BBC World Service in cooperation with NTV brings you a debate from within Turkey itself, recorded in March 2006. Our host is Chris Morris, who has covered Turkish affairs for the BBC for eight years.

Turkey in 2006
	Listen to the programme

This programme was recorded in Istanbul on 26 March 2006


Related links
Country profile: Turkey
News in Turkish at BBCTurkish.com