Turkey is reforming quickly, however, a change in public opinion is needed for its inclusion in the European Union, foreign policy analysts at the Heritage Foundation contend.

Abdullah Akyuz, president of the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association, said Turkey has come a long way in the past five years and should be validated as a full member of the EU. Thanks to reforms in the past five, and especially, two years, Turkey has shown it is ready for negotiation, Akyuz said. I think this progress has come as a surprise to the EU.

Established after World War II, initially to facilitate the trade of coal and steel between six European countries, the EU has grown into a stable network of 25 democracies that share freedom, human rights, economic security and job opportunities.

Turkey's desire for inclusion in the powerful group has thwarted by obstacles for decades. Although having a secular government, Turkey's different culture and religion as well as its large population -- almost 70 million -- weaker economy and humanitarian issues have discouraged EU members from welcoming them.

Helle Dale, director of foreign policy at the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute, said she hopes Turkey will be able to join the EU. Dale admitted that it would be a complex process requiring public education as Turkey straddles two worlds -- Europe and Asia.

Published in London's Al-Hayat newspaper on Oct. 7, Ghassan Charbel outlined problems many see with Turkey's accession to the EU. Turkey lacks European roots in its culture and traditions. It was also said that Turkey is very large, very poor, and very different. ... It is obvious that Turkey must change in order to join the European club. It is also clear that its accession would change the club's mood.

Omer Taspinar, a Brookings Institution research fellow and co-Director of Brookings Project on Turkey, used the very elements espoused by opponents of Turkey's admission as a counterargument. He said that Turkey's borders with Syria and Iraq would give the EU a strategic vantage point in the Middle East, that Turks would serve as additional skilled labor, and its Muslim character would add diversity, proving that the EU is secular and multicultural.

Inclusion in the EU has worked as a catalyst for Turkish reform in education, security, value-driven laws and humane treatment, said both Akyuz and Taspinar. Maybe now Turkey can eventually help reform Europe, Taspinar suggested.

Heritage Research Fellow John Hulsman said that Turkey's success has been a dirty little secret that you won't hear.

Nobody expected Turkey to do so well. ... (It's) a real problem from the EU point of view, Hulsman said.

Now it is up to the public to recognize Turkey's changes. The EU has gone as far as it can as an elitist organization, politics calls for the inclusion of the people, Hulsman said.

There is a major gap between the elite and public opinion in Europe as far as Turkey is concerned, Taspinar noted. The elite say talks of Turkey's admission should begin, but the public does not support it, he said.

Akyuz called for a change in the way European members present the argument for Turkey's membership in the EU to their public for inclusion to occur. The EU summit is not likely to come to a definite answer. ... Frustration and ambiguity is likely to continue on both sides unless EU members convey a more positive image of Turkey to public opinion.

Hulsman pointed out an EU habit he feels is a stalling tactic. The EU will say 'Yes, but.' That's what they say to everything.

Taspinar agreed that no final conclusion will be found, saying, The EU will probably negotiate a middle-of-the-road agreement. Turkey will be a member, but it will be loosely connected to the EU.

Adding or leaving Turkey out of the EU is not the final solution to integrating cultures or international relations, Hulsman said. Turkey and Europe's relationship and interaction will need to be developed with time. To say this is the end of the process, is worse then crazy, it strikes me as irresponsible, Hulsman added.