Background: The European Union is a composition of 25 member countries that have come together under different sets of agreements

to share a common political, economical and social policy. According to Dinan (2 5! European countries have been characteri"ed by #ar ! in

and economic rivalry among themselves for centuries. According to $ilpin (2

order to overcome these difference and develop a strong economic partnership, si% European countries (&rance, $ermany, 'taly, (elgium, )etherlands, and *u%emburg! came together to establish the European +oal and ,teel +ommunity in -.5- (p.-./!. Dinan (2 5! has ac0no#ledged that the desire to diffuse long standing rivalry bet#een

$ermany and &rance became a driving force to Europe1s regional integration. Another important treaty that solidified Europe #as the -.52 Treaty of 3ome #hich established the European Economic +ommunity. According to Dinan (2 5! the Treaty

of 3ome #as an ambitious economic plan aimed at establishing a common mar0et for European goods and services and free movement of people in the European community. ,ince then several treaties and agreement have been reached in order to strengthen and solidify the European Union. The notable treaties include the 4aastricht Treaty (-..-! that paved a #ay for the Economic and 4onetary Union, Amsterdam Treaty (-..2! that supported Europe1s economic, political and security ob5ectives and the )ice Treaty (2 -! #hich outlined conditions for EU1s future e%pansion and member states 5!. According to Dinan (2 5!

representation #ithin the European parliament.(Dinan, 2

after the collapse of the ,oviet Union, the European Union decided to e%tend its influence

to the eastern and ,outhern boarders of Europe to incorporate several former communist countries and others into the European Union (6.-/7!. The vision for e%pansion is attributed to European Union desire to e%tend its economic and political influence to the ne# independent states that had been under communist regimes in order to have a strong and stable Europe. Turkeys Accession to the European Union (EU): The relationship of the European Union (EU! to its ne# eastern and southern neighbors is important for the EU e%istence and credibility. The possible accession of ne# members especially Tur0ey to the European Union (EU! #ill dramatically change the political, economic and social set up of the European Union. Dinan (2 5! argued that Tur0ey1s

accession to the EU #ill e%tend Europe1s boarders to unstable and undemocratic 4iddle East countries li0e 'ra8, 'ran and ,yria (p.-59!. 4a5or pressing issues about Tur0ey1s accession to the European Union range from economic, demographic, geographical, political and human rights. :ne commonly raised point is Tur0ey1s population. According to )as (2 /! #hen

Tur0ey 5oins the EU, Tur0ey #ill become one of the most populated member state by 2015 (p !!. Tur0ey;s current population is 2- million, and is e%pected to increase to < =<5 million in the ne%t 2 years (EU, 2 /!. 'n comparison #ith $ermany, EU1s largest

member state #hich has <7 million people today, but #hose population is pro5ected to decline, Tur0ey1s accession becomes a concern for many Europeans.

Dinan, (2

5! observed that another argument is rooted in the debate on #hether it is

possible to establish geographic borders for Europe, and #hether Tur0ey ;fits; #ithin these borders (p.-/7!. 6erhaps the most sensitive of all arguments centre on the cultural and religious differences ,ince the EU identifies itself as a cultural and religiously tolerant society, Tur0ey;s EU bid should not be compromised by cultural differences. According to 6hillips (2 /!, EU member states; concerns over Tur0ey;s human rights

record as #ell as global and regional security=related issues have also been 0ey factors behind Tur0ey;s prolonged application process (p. <9=.2!. *u%emburg 6rime=4inister >ean=+laude >un0er in a speech referred to Tur0ey as ?A country in #hich torture is still a common practice cannot have a seat at the table of the European Union@. 'n ?+lash of +ivili"ation@, ,amuel Auntington describes Tur0ey as a ?torn +ountry@. Auntington (-..7!, referred to ?Torn +ountries@, as those that ?have a fair degree of cultural homogeneity but are divided over #hether their society belongs to one civili"ation or another@ (p./2!. Auntington (-..7!, argued that Tur0ey is a torn country #hich since the early -.2 s has been trying to Besterni"e in order become part of the Best, though its culture and tradition is different from the Bestern (p./2!. Tur0ey1s leaders have greatly supported tur0ey to transform to Bestern +ivili"ation, but some Tur0s prefer Tur0ey to remain a 4uslim society. According to Auntington (-..7!, Tur0ey being a predominantly 4uslim country and the Best being +hristian, Tur0ey #ill never be accepted as a European +ountry (p./2!. According to Dinan (2 5!, Tur0ey started its effort to 5oin the European Economic

+ommunity in -.97 by signing the An0ara Association Agreement in -.97. 'n -.<2,

Tur0ey filed an application for membership to the European +ommunity but #as re5ected by the European Economic +ommunity (p.-59!. Cirisci (2 /! asserted that some EU

members argue that even if Tur0ey #as to be granted membership for a single day, it is not ready to meet EU member1s standards and obligations (p.2!. Ao#ever, this argument has been proven #rong by Tur0ish politicians. Tur0ey has initiated reforms over the years and it has managed to accomplish a great deal of success economically and politically.

'n -..5, the EU suggested for a +ustoms Union #ith Tur0ey #hich came into effect in-..9.+ustom duties on goods from the E.U. countries #ere removed and the European Union1s +ommon E%ternal Tariff for third countries #as introduced. According to Cirisci (2 /!, Tur0ey1s effort to integrate in the European Union fell short of Tur0ey1s

e%pectation but it has gradually embar0ed on the transformation process to become a democratic, modern and secular state

According to Cubice0 (2

5!, at the end of the +old Bar, European leaders embar0ed on

the enlargement of Europe by considering 6ost=+ommunist states. Tur0ey1s leaders #ere optimistic during the EU1s enlargement process that their candidature #ill be considered (p.2!. The EU argued that the 6ost=+ommunist countries fulfilled the +openhagen +riteria and that Tur0ey still lagged behind in democratic reform and respect for human rights (Cirisci, 2 /!. According to 6hillips (2 /!, +openhagen +riteria are 3ules that

re8uire all #ould=be EU member countries to guarantee democracy and respect for human rights, rule of la# and protection of minorities (p../!. According to Dinan (2 5!,

+openhagen +riteria is based on the -..7 EU commission report that stipulated guidelines and conditions that must be fulfilled by an aspiring EU candidate country to be considered for accession to the European Union (p.-/2!. The +openhagen criteria

stipulates that for a candidate country to be considered for accession, it must have strong democratic institutions, respect for minority rights and rule of la#, a free mar0et economy and to accept a common European defense and foreign policy.

Cirisci (2

/! argued that Tur0ey1s e%clusion from membership negotiations in -..2 5!, EU decision to consider

disappointed many Tur0s (p.7!. According to Dinan (2

accession negotiations #ith other under developed former communist countries li0e (ulgaria and 3omania #as unfair to the Tur0ish government. According to 6hillips (2 /!, in response, Tur0ish government severed diplomatic relationship #ith the 5!

European Union and threatened to hinder +yprus reunification process. Cubice0 (2

pointed out that Tur0ey1s continuous effort to democratic reform and respect for human rights convinced European leaders to approve Tur0ey as a candidate country in -... Aelsin0i ,ummit.

'n December 2

/ the European council agreed to begin Tur0ey1s accession negotiations 5!, some original EU member countries

to the European Union. According to Dinan (2

have made it clear that Tur0ey1s full membership #ill be gradual and #ill not be complete until 2 -/ (p.-52!. According to 6hillips (2 /!, Tur0ey1s accession is

considered to be open=ended and some European member countries, notably &rance proposed a referendum in EU member countries before Tur0ey can be accepted as a ne#

EU member. &rance proposal is to grant Tur0ey #ith a ?,pecial ,tatus@ membership #hile $ermany1s version is that of a ?privileged partnership@.

Due to pressure to meet the +openhagen +riteria, Tur0ey embar0ed on an e%tensive political reform and improved its human rights record. According to 6hillips (2 /!,

Tur0ey eased restrictions on freedom of press and association. ,igned and ratified the 6rotocol 9 and -7 of the European +onvention on Auman 3ights@ (p../!. Tur0ey1s political and legislative reforms resulted into the abolition of the death penalty to conform to the European la#s, reduced the influence of the military in government and Curdish minority rights #ere eventually respected by the Tur0ish government. 't can be argued that #ithout Tur0ey1s strong commitment to 5oin the European Union, dramatic political, economical, legal and human rights reforms #ould not have been easily underta0en.

The significance of Tur0ey to the EU is its strategic location to the 4uslim #orld. According to Dinan (2 5!, Tur0ey1s integration to the EU #ill prove to the 4uslim

#orld that 'slam and democracy can +o=e%ist. The vastness of Tur0ey #ill provide the E.U #ith the opportunity to advance democratic principle and peace to the 4iddle East and +entral Asia. 6hillips (2 /! argued that Tur0ey1s membership to the EU is in 5!

relation #ith the ?Bar Against Terrorism@ (p.-7!. According to Cubice0 (2

Tur0ey1s strong military capability #ill also act as a stabili"ing force against unstable Europe1s neighbors (p.-7!.

6hillips (2

/! confirmed that Tur0ish business community considers the accession to the

EU as an avenue for Tur0ey to continue its economic reforms in order to meet European ,tandards (p..7!. Cirisci (2 /! argued that due to pressure from the EU, Tur0ey has

improved its mar0et= economy by introducing deflation measures and promote an e%port= oriented strategy to achieve economic development (p./!. :n the other hand European business leaders #ill easily tap Tur0ey1s mar0et of 2 million people and have easy access to a relatively cheap labor force. The initiative #ill also strengthen the competitiveness of European firms interested in cutting do#n production cost by setting up manufacturing plants in Tur0ey.

Another significance of Tur0ey1s accession to the European Union is the demographic aspect of Europe. Europe1s birth rate is lo# and its population is aging. 'n contrast, Tur0ey1s population is younger and relatively educatedD this provides the EU #ith the opportunity to utili"e Tur0ey1s labor force (Tusiad, 2 /!. Ao#ever, this phenomenon

also plays against Tur0ey1s accession to the EU because most European considers Tur0s cheap labor as a threat to Europe1s employment and other social benefits.

The prospect of Tur0ey ever 5oining the European Union is still undetermined. 6hillips (2 /!, argued that ho#ever much Tur0ey tries to meet the conditions set by the

European Union, Europeans #ill not accept a 4uslim country to 5oin a ?+hristian +lub@ (p..5!. This #as stressed by &rits (ol0estein (&ormer EU +ommissioner! #ho referred to Tur0ey as a ?4uslim threat to Europe@. Ae argued that ?U0raine and (elarus #ere more European than Tur0ey and that Europe ris0 becoming predominantly 'slamic@ (Cubice0, 2 5!.

According to Cubice0, (2

5!, Tur0ey has a different culture and history #hich

dis8ualifies it from passing the ?Europeaness ?test. Ae also argued that since only 5E of Tur0ey1 population lives inside ?Europe@ ('n relation to the European map!, Tur0ey does not fit to be in the European Union (p.--!. ,ome Europeans believe that Tur0ey is different and this #ill result into future problems in the E1U decision Fma0ing structure. 6hillips (2 /! argued that bringing in Tur0ey to the European Union #ill result into

tremendous burden to the Europeans (p. .9!. &or E%ample, Tur0ey being so big and poor, vast portion of EU development fund #ill end up being channeled to Tur0ey. 4any current EU members accessing EU development fund and other social policy program feel threatened by Tur0ey1s membership because a big portion of their assistance may be diverted to Tur0ey. The often cited argument against Tur0ey1s accession to the EU is that Tur0ey is poised to create a ne# balance of po#er in the European Union.

Therefore, in order to do#n play European concerns over Tur0ey, European leaders have come up #ith different versions of Tur0ey1s accession to the European Union. According

<

to 6hillips (2

/!, $ermany and &rance have come up #ith different proposal that fall

short of Tur0ey1s full membership to the European Union. &or e%ample &rance proposed a ?,pecial ,tatus@ and $ermany prefers a ?6rivileged 6artnership@ to be accorded to Tur0ey (p..9!. Ao#ever, Tur0ish leaders are determined for nothing less than full European membership. Cubici0 (2 5! agreed that the European Union is using double

standards in dealing #ith Tur0ey accession to the EU. &or e%ample, &rance is advocating for EU member states to conduct a referendum before Tur0ey can 5oin the European Union #hich #as not the case #ith other ne#er former communist countries. The failure to ratify the EU constitution (2 5 referenda! in &rance and "ether#ands has been

regarded as a sign o$ the gro%ing anti&en#arge'ent senti'ents in Europe %hich %i## be detrimental to Tur0ey;s EU bid.

(onc#usion: Tur0ey has undergone several political, economical and social reforms to satisfy the +openhagen +riteria. The progress made by Tur0ey in meeting the +openhagen +riteria is a clear indication of Tur0ey1s strong leadership and commitment to#ards European membership. Ao#ever, further effort is still needed in the moderni"ation of its economy, legal reform and the respect for Auman 3ights. :n the other side, Europe should ta0e a positive position in the accession negotiations and not use the prete%t of culture and religion to slo# do#n the negotiations of Tur0ey1s accession to the European Union.

Tur0ey should be provided #ith the same terms and a leveled ground during the accession negotiations li0e 6oland, Aungary, *atvia, +"ech 3epublic etc. The negative

decision of the accession tal0s #ould be harmful to the strategic alliance of Tur0ey and the EU. Tur0ey1s accession #ill also be important in boosting economic and trade lin0s bet#een the EU and Tur0ey neighbors #ith abundant natural resources and energy reserves. Tur0ish membership to the EU #ill also send a strong message to the 4uslim #orld that European can coe%ist #ith 4uslim despite their cultural and religious differences.

:ne can rightly conclude that #ith the ne# #ave of anti='slamic sentiments and high unemployment rate in Europe, Tur0ey is vie#ed by many Europeans as a threat to their social and economic #elfare and many Europeans are doubtful of Tur0ey1s prospect to a full EU membership. Tur0ey1s big si"e and its poor population is a threat to the EU social policy (+ommon Agriculture 6olicy and other policies! because it #ill attract more development funds that #ould other#ise been allocated to other member countries. 't is also believed that failure of the EU constitution referendum in &rance and )etherlands can be attributed to Tur0ey1s EU bid and the enlargement process in general.

3eferences Dinan, D. (2 5!. Ever Closer Union: An Introduction to European Integration, 7rd Ed. (oulderG +:G *ynne 3ienner 6ublishers. European Union. (2 /!. The European UnionG A Guide for Americans, Bashington D+.

$ilpin, 3. (2 !. The Challenge of Global Capitalism: The World Economy in the !st Century, 6rinceton, )>G 6rinceton University 6ress. Auntington, ,. 6. (-..7!. The +lash of +ivili"ationH. "oreign Affairs, # $%&, '()*

Cirisci, C. (2 /!. European +ouncil Decision on Tur0eyG 's it a Aistorical Decision. TU+IA, -eport, -=- . Cubice0, D. (2 5!. Tur.ish Accession to the European Union: Challenges and /pportunities for the 01e2 Europe3, +enter for European ,tudies, University of &lorida. 6aris. )as, +. (2 /!. EU and Tur0eyG +hallenges and :pportunities in Enlargement. TU1ACE+ and European Community Institute, 22, -=/. 6hillips, D.*. (2 /!. Tur0ey1s Dream of Accession. "oreign Affairs, 4%$5&, 46')#*

:nline ,ourcesG httpGII###.eurunion.orgIinforesIeuguideIeuguide.pdf httpGII###.euractiv.comIArticleHtcmuriJtcmG2.=-2.92<=-9KtypeJ*in0sDossier httpGII###.fornet.infoIdocumentsI&:3)ETE2 6lenaryE2 E2 (ac0groundpaper.pdf 5E2 Tur0ey

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