The problem is not so much geographical as it is economical (eastern European countries like Moldova, Kosovo, Albania or Bosnia are all 100% in Europe but will likely not enter the EU any time soon).

What does the EU have to do with this? EU is not the same as Europe.

The OP mentioned EU candidateship of Turkey.

I was pointing out that all of these issues are not really about whether or not Turkey is geographically located in Europe, but about it not being a wealthy country.

Just like EU membership, as well as other institutes, do not include Moldova (and other poor countries) even tho it is entirely within the continent of Europe.

Turkey's per capita GDP is higher than some EU member states like Romania and Bulgaria, though clearly lower than EU average:

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=turkey%2C+bulgaria%2C+r...

The issues with Turkey's membership appear more be about religious/cultural and the concern over lack of political freedoms in the country.

Croatia.

Of course, European civilization once extended across Asia Minor all the way to Persia. The invasion of the Turkmen and other central Asian nomadic tribes changed that.