Turkey has been trying to become a full member of the European Community since 1963, when an associate agreement was signed. It was one of the countries that established the OECD, an organization that represents democracy and free market economy. In 1995 Turkey started a customs union with the EU, which was the first step toward a full membership of the EU. At the European Council in Helsinki, Turkey was considered as a potential candidate for full membership of the EU. According to the European Council (2003), “Turkey is a candidate state destined to join the Union on the basis of the same criteria as applied to other candidate states.” As mentioned in the statement, the European Union is willing to offer Turkey a full membership as long as they fulfill the criteria for membership provided by the European Commission. In other words, Turkey has to share “the values, objectives and legal order set out in the [EU] treaties.” Therefore, the EU developed a pre-accession strategy for Turkey and agreed on an accession partnership on the same basis as the other candidate countries, which negotiated a treaty with the EU. For that reason, Turkey was allowed to participate in certain EU programs and meetings among the member states of the EU and the candidate states.
Although formal discussions have taken place since 2005, the member states have not reached an agreement yet. Turkey’s EU accession is the leading controversy among the member states of the EU concerning the enlargement of the European Union. Some member states are in favor of Turkey’s EU membership due to its geographical location, which could be a benefit for the European Union; whereas other countries are concerned about the situation within Turkey and its effects on the European community. Turkey should not become a full member of the European Union because of a violation of human rights based on Turkey’s ideology, security reasons, and the financial risk for the economy of the European Union. Consequently, a privileged partnership would be more appropriate.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Literary Review
3. Discussion
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Core Topics
The primary objective of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of Turkey's accession to the European Union by analyzing political, economic, and human rights factors, ultimately arguing that a privileged partnership is a more appropriate alternative at this stage.
- Analysis of democratic standards and human rights compliance in Turkey.
- Evaluation of the economic impact of Turkish accession on the EU budget.
- Examination of the geopolitical and security implications of the relationship.
- Assessment of the role of ideology and cultural identity in the accession process.
- Discussion regarding the ongoing dispute over Cyprus.
Excerpt from the Book
1 Introduction
Turkey has been trying to become a full member of the European Community since 1963, when an associate agreement was signed. It was one of the countries that established the OECD, an organization that represents democracy and free market economy. In 1995 Turkey started a customs union with the EU, which was the first step toward a full membership of the EU. At the European Council in Helsinki, Turkey was considered as a potential candidate for full membership of the EU. According to the European Council (2003), “Turkey is a candidate state destined to join the Union on the basis of the same criteria as applied to other candidate states.” As mentioned in the statement, the European Union is willing to offer Turkey a full membership as long as they fulfill the criteria for membership provided by the European Commission. In other words, Turkey has to share “the values, objectives and legal order set out in the [EU] treaties.” Therefore, the EU developed a pre-accession strategy for Turkey and agreed on an accession partnership on the same basis as the other candidate countries, which negotiated a treaty with the EU. For that reason, Turkey was allowed to participate in certain EU programs and meetings among the member states of the EU and the candidate states.
Although formal discussions have taken place since 2005, the member states have not reached an agreement yet. Turkey’s EU accession is the leading controversy among the member states of the EU concerning the enlargement of the European Union. Some member states are in favor of Turkey’s EU membership due to its geographical location, which could be a benefit for the European Union; whereas other countries are concerned about the situation within Turkey and its effects on the European community. Turkey should not become a full member of the European Union because of a violation of human rights based on Turkey’s ideology, security reasons, and the financial risk for the economy of the European Union. Consequently, a privileged partnership would be more appropriate.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces Turkey’s long-standing attempt to join the EU and outlines the central argument that current conditions make full membership unfeasible.
2 Literary Review: This section examines academic perspectives on Turkish democratic institutions, economic reforms, and the persistent conflict concerning Cyprus.
3 Discussion: The chapter explores the ideological, human rights, and economic arguments surrounding the accession, specifically highlighting the budget impact and the role of religious and societal values.
4 Conclusion: The author summarizes that Turkey is currently not ready for full membership and proposes a privileged partnership as a viable alternative.
Keywords
European Union, Turkey, Accession, Membership, Human Rights, Economic Reform, Cyprus, Foreign Direct Investment, Judeo-Christian values, Privileged Partnership, Customs Union, Multiculturalism, Budgetary impact, Democratic institutions, Geopolitics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The work focuses on the debate surrounding Turkey’s potential accession to the European Union and argues that the country is currently unprepared for full membership.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The publication covers human rights, religious freedom, economic development, the budgetary impact on the EU, and the ongoing political dispute regarding Cyprus.
What is the main research question of this study?
The study aims to determine whether Turkey meets the necessary criteria for full EU membership and if such an accession is currently feasible for both parties.
Which scientific method is utilized in this paper?
The paper utilizes a literature review and a qualitative discussion approach, synthesizing existing academic arguments, EU commission statements, and economic data.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the ideological compatibility between Turkey and the EU, concerns regarding human rights, economic data related to purchasing power parity, and the financial implications of EU expansion.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Turkey's EU accession, privileged partnership, human rights violations, macroeconomic uncertainty, and EU budgetary policy.
How does the author view the economic impact of Turkey's membership?
The author highlights that Turkey would likely become the largest recipient of EU budget transfers due to its large population and relatively low per capita income compared to existing member states.
What role does the Cyprus dispute play in the accession process?
The Cyprus dispute is identified as a major sticking point, as Turkey's refusal to recognize the Cypriot government and open its ports creates significant diplomatic and operational obstacles.
- Quote paper
- Annemarie Wendicke (Author), 2008, EU membership: An unfeasible plan for Turkey, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/91512
