Turkey can be characterized by two contrasting images. On the one hand, the country has been a staunch member of NATO for over 50 years. It has a thriving democracy, a lively free press and a stable government with a big parliamentary majority. Although most of its people are deeply religious, Turkey is ferociously secular. Moreover, its economy is booming: during the past two years, the GDP has risen by an annual average of 8.4 percent and inflation has fallen by three-quarters, near to single figures. In contrast to the current EU, this country has a young and growing population. Its biggest city was a cradle of Christian (and European) civilisation. To sum up, with regard to the mentioned facts, Turkey seems to be a promising gain for the European Union.
But also the following aspects depict Turkey: it is situated mostly in Asia and it borders such worrisome countries as Iraq, Syria and Iran. The country’s economy has been a hopeless case for decades, its currency has been repeatedly devalued, many of its banks are ailing and it is one of the largest debtors of the IMF. Turkey is far poorer than eve n the poorest of the ten countries that joined the EU in May 2004. It has a history of military coups and its frightful human-rights record and the torture of prisoners are well documented. Its people, who are for the most part Muslim, could soon form the EU’s biggest population. Briefly, as far as these issues are concerned, Turkey seems to lose any attractiveness to join the Union.
This portrayal of Turkey in such utterly contrasting ways explains why Turkey presents such a critical questio n for the EU. No other country’s presumed membership has arisen such excitement and many several European commissioners have voiced their reservations against the joining of Turkey. In September 2004, a further controversy broke out over a Turkish government proposal to criminalize adultery, which was hastily abandoned after strong protests from Europe. Last year, the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has become a central actor on the European agenda, urging the case for starting membership talks.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Turkish Perspective
2. German Perspective
Concluding Remarks
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the potential accession of Turkey to the European Union, analyzing the complex economic, political, and cultural implications for both Turkey and Germany. The core research focus lies in balancing Turkey’s geopolitical significance and reform efforts against the challenges posed by economic disparities and socio-cultural perceptions within Germany.
- Economic consequences and budgetary impacts of Turkish EU membership.
- Political reforms and the fulfillment of the Copenhagen criteria.
- Societal perceptions and the discourse surrounding Islam and the EU.
- Integration challenges concerning the Turkish minority in Germany.
- Geopolitical considerations for the stability of the European Union.
Excerpt from the Book
2. German Perspective
If the decision if Turkey will enter the EU was exclusively based on the Copenhagen criteria, it would be hard to reject its application with regard to the carried out economic, political and judicial reforms. But this being Turkey, other factors are high on the agenda, which among other countries influence Germany, with regard to its position of power, its role as the biggest EU net-payer, the convergence between the Western world and Islam, migration and the integration of the largest Turkish minority of the EU.
Although size is not a criterion of EU membership, the size of Turkey is a critical factor. Turkey, which has 71 million inhabitants and is growing, would be the biggest EU country, surpassing Germany in roughly 2020. Nevertheless, its population would still be only about 15 percent of the EU total. According to the ‘double majority’ voting system in the draft EU constitution, Turkey would have a weight equivalent to 14 percent of the total – in comparison with Germany’s weight, in an EU of 25, of 18 percent (Economist 2004/9/18: p. 32).
Turkey’s poverty could pose other problems. One third of the population is engaged in farming, a fact, which would be a big challenge for the EU’s general agricultural policy. The strong weight of farming and Turkey’s poverty would indicate considerable budgetary transfers from Brussels for many years. For Germany, the biggest net-payer, which provides around 22 percent of net transfers to the EU (Pfeiffer 2005), the entry of Turkey would be a costly undertaking, as Germany would have to carry the main burden of financial transfers and would have to contribute about 3.48 billion (Halusa 2004). Moreover, less developed regions, as East Germany, would be affected negatively because payments out of structural funds would decrease (Kommission der Europäischen Gemeinschaften 2004). On the other hand, as Europe’s political geography is changing, its free trade area expands and therefore, the entry of Turkey in the EU would go hand in hand with an emerging infrastructure market (Reina 2004).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides an overview of Turkey's contrasting image, highlighting both its progress towards democracy and secularism as well as the significant hurdles regarding human rights and economic stability. It outlines the historical context of the EU-Turkey relationship leading up to the 2004 decision to start negotiations.
1. Turkish Perspective: Examines the economic situation and the substantial reforms implemented by the Erdogan government to meet the Copenhagen criteria, while noting the ongoing challenges in human rights and local implementation.
2. German Perspective: Analyzes the concerns and potential impacts of Turkish accession on Germany, focusing on financial burdens, demographic size, the role of Islam, and the integration of the existing Turkish minority.
Concluding Remarks: Summarizes that while accession presents considerable challenges, the decision should transcend simple cost calculations, viewing the process as a crucial step for integration and cooperation in the 21st century.
Keywords
European Union, Turkey, Accession, Germany, Copenhagen criteria, Economic policy, Islam, Human rights, Integration, Migration, Geopolitics, Structural funds, Reform, Democratization, Foreign investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines the potential accession of Turkey to the European Union and the resulting consequences, with a specific focus on the perspectives of Turkey and Germany.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the political and economic reform progress in Turkey, the financial and demographic implications for the EU, the role of Islam in European identity, and the socio-economic integration of Turkish citizens living in Germany.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The author aims to explore the dual perspectives of the applicant country and a major member state, evaluating whether the geopolitical and social benefits outweigh the economic and cultural challenges.
Which methodology is used to conduct this research?
The study utilizes a political science approach, analyzing secondary sources, economic reports, and existing political discourses from the period leading up to the 2005 start of accession negotiations.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body is divided into the Turkish perspective, which reviews internal reforms, and the German perspective, which details concerns regarding migration, costs, and the cultural implications of admitting a Muslim-majority nation.
How would you characterize this work with keywords?
Key terms include European Union, Turkey, Accession, Germany, Copenhagen criteria, Islam, Human rights, and Integration.
How does the author view the 'clash of civilisations' in the context of EU accession?
The author suggests that admitting Turkey would be a way to prove the compatibility of democracy and Islam, whereas refusal could confirm the feared 'clash of civilisations' and alienate Muslim nations.
What is the significance of the Turkish minority in Germany for the debate?
The author highlights that the 2.6 million Turks in Germany represent a complex integration case; their status influences German public opinion on the broader question of Turkish EU membership.
- Quote paper
- Christiane Landsiedel (Author), 2005, The Possible Accession of Turkey to the EU. A Turkish and a German Perspective, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/35502
