Authors have proved hypothesis: Turkey’s military capabilities, experience in NATO and
international peace keeping operations and missions could rather strengthen than weaken
ESDP position. However, there are some weaknesses that Turkey faces (focus on ‘hard’
rather than ‘soft’ power, military is in the process of modernizing, underestimated role in
peace keeping operations), Turkey’s contribution to ESDP is too significant (strong
involvement in the missions) and will give more benefits than costs. Furthermore, Turkish
accession to the EU would transform strategic challenges of ESDP.51
Only five of twenty ESDP peace keeping operations have been of a military nature, which
mostly has been held by NATO or UN. “When it comes to much bigger military issues, the
EU avoids taking strategic responsibility and still depends on the NATO to do its ‘dirty
work’”52. Therefore military stronger EU would give NATO and UN credit that EU is also
responsible in the field of crisis management. Such win-win situation would exempt US
Secretary’s of State Madeleine Albright’s the “3 D’s”: 1) decoupling of ESDP from NATO,
2) duplication of capabilities, 3) discrimination of non-EU NATO members.53 Turkey would
also play role of agent between EU and NATO and “parties involved will benefit from threelevel
game”54 (EU-Turkey-NATO). Therefore it is advantageous and beneficial not only for
Turkey, but also for the EU and the NATO as well.55
Finally, last week Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn once more showed that EU would
not allow Turkey 'cruise control' on accession.56 Therefore Turkey-EU relations should
balance the contributions and benefits of such partnership and show that both partners can be
producers and consumers of security and experience of defence. Such dialogue will prove that
EU can play an important role in CFSP/ESDP dimension also in the future.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
1. TURKEY’S BENEFIT FROM AND CONTRIBUTION TO CFSP
INTRODUCTION: TURKEY AND CFSP
1.1. TURKEY AS “SECURITY CONSUMER”
1.2. TURKEY AS “SECUTITY PRODUCER”
2. TURKEY’S BENEFIT FROM AND CONTRIBUTION TO ESDP
INTRODUCTION: TURKEY AND ESDP
2.1. TURKEY AS “EXPERIENCE PRODUCER”
2.2. TURKEY AS “EXPERIENCE CONSUMER”
CONCLUDING REMARKS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the potential benefits and challenges associated with Turkey's accession to the European Union, specifically focusing on its impact on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The central research question explores whether Turkey’s participation would ultimately strengthen or weaken these policy frameworks through the dual lenses of "security producer" and "security consumer."
- Analysis of Turkey’s role in regional security and CFSP dynamics.
- Evaluation of Turkish military capabilities and integration into the ESDP.
- Assessment of Turkey's unique position as a bridge between the West and the Muslim world.
- Examination of energy security dependencies in the Caspian and Middle Eastern regions.
Excerpt from the Book
1.2. TURKEY AS “SECUTITY PRODUCER”
On the other hand, Turkey is an important contributor to the CFSP because of its huge population and economic potential. “The only tangible economic advantage of Turkey’s accession to the EU would be the inflow of Turkey’s young population to the member states to countermand their aging workforces”. Moreover Turkey would have important political and institutional impacts concerning voting and political representation due to its second largest population after Germany, but also probably among the less wealthy.
Terrorism, illegal migration, religious extremism and problems of borders have created the new risks. Turkey can help to deal with these new risks and give an unique opportunity to the EU to become a major player in international politics. After 9/11 Turkey found itself as the only Muslim member of NATO. Also Turkey plays main role as bridge between the West and Muslim world. “The Iraq crisis highlighted differences with respect to the Transatlantic Alliance inside the EU.” The EU states themselves were divided to the Atlanticists and the Europeanists. The United Kingdom’s position was close to US, but with some reluctance; Germany was against the military intervention, even with a UN mandate. Therefore France and Germany looked outside the EU to Russia and China, which are members of the UN Security Council. This division within the EU over the new international security reflected on Turkey’s position. The main Atlanticist UK is one of the supporters of Turkey. Turkey also borders with three mainly security consuming regions, namely the Middle East, Caucasus and Balkans. 9/11 and Madrid terrorist acts in 2004, London suicide bomb attacks in 2005 clearly showed that no country is safe. That’s why EU could use Turkey’s presence in this region as an “asset” to play important role and act as global actor.
Summary of Chapters
INTRODUCTION: The introduction outlines the complex relationship between Turkey and the EU, setting the stage for analyzing security policy through the hypotheses of "security producer" and "security consumer."
1. TURKEY’S BENEFIT FROM AND CONTRIBUTION TO CFSP: This chapter investigates how Turkey’s geopolitical location and regional influence impact the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy.
1.1. TURKEY AS “SECURITY CONSUMER”: This section highlights potential risks, such as regional instability, the Kurdish problem, and the refugee crisis, which characterize Turkey as a security burden.
1.2. TURKEY AS “SECUTITY PRODUCER”: This section explores how Turkey’s economic potential, population, and strategic location in the Middle East and Caspian region provide significant assets to the EU.
2. TURKEY’S BENEFIT FROM AND CONTRIBUTION TO ESDP: This chapter analyzes how Turkish military capabilities and experience in NATO operations contribute to the European Security and Defence Policy.
2.1. TURKEY AS “EXPERIENCE PRODUCER”: This section details Turkey’s active role in peacekeeping missions and its capability to share crisis management expertise.
2.2. TURKEY AS “EXPERIENCE CONSUMER”: This section evaluates the concerns regarding the integration of Turkish military forces and the challenges of aligning different security doctrines.
CONCLUDING REMARKS: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, arguing that Turkey’s contribution as a producer of security and experience outweighs the potential challenges.
Keywords
Turkey, European Union, CFSP, ESDP, NATO, Security Producer, Security Consumer, Geopolitics, Middle East, Caspian Sea, Energy Security, Crisis Management, Peacekeeping, Military Capabilities, Accession
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper fundamentally addresses the implications of Turkey's potential accession to the European Union regarding the security and defense architectures of the Union, specifically the CFSP and ESDP.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The study centers on geopolitical influence, energy security in the Caspian and Middle East regions, military integration, and the dual nature of Turkey as both a provider of regional security and a potential source of security challenges.
What is the primary hypothesis of the authors?
The authors hypothesize that, from the perspective of the EU, the accession of Turkey brings more advantages—acting as a "security and experience producer"—than it introduces challenges as a "security consumer."
Which research methods were applied?
The authors utilized descriptive, comparative, and analytical research methods to evaluate Turkey's relations with the EU across regional security and defense dimensions.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body breaks down the analysis into two distinct parts: the impact on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the influence on the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), including sub-sections on Turkey's role as a "producer" and "consumer" in both contexts.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is defined by terms such as Turkey, European Union, CFSP, ESDP, NATO, Security Producer, Security Consumer, Geopolitics, and Energy Security.
How does Turkey's NATO membership influence the argument?
The authors argue that Turkey's long-standing NATO membership and its active participation in international peacekeeping operations provide a unique knowledge base that would significantly benefit the EU's defense autonomy.
What role does the "Berlin Plus" agreement play in the analysis?
The paper identifies the "Berlin Plus" agreement as a critical, yet difficult, issue in the triangle of relations between the EU, NATO, and Turkey, impacting the institutional status of non-EU NATO members.
How do the authors define the "security consumer" status?
The "security consumer" status refers to the challenges Turkey brings, such as its involvement in the Cyprus issue, potential tensions with neighboring states, and the need for managing regional instabilities.
- Quote paper
- Karina Oborune (Author), Ibragim Zalel (Author), 2009, Debates on Turkey's accession to EU: CFSP/ESDP, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/169167
