TURKEYTURKEY&&

EUROPEAN UNIONEUROPEAN UNION

GeneralGeneral

TurkeyTurkey has been an associate member of the has been an associate member of the European Union European Union

and its predecessors since and its predecessors since 19641964.. The country formally The country formally

applied for full membership on applied for full membership on April 14 1987April 14 1987, but 12 , but 12 years passed before it was recognized as a candidate country at years passed before it was recognized as a candidate country at

the Helsinki Summit in the Helsinki Summit in 19991999.. The European Council The European Council announced that membership negotiations with Turkey were announced that membership negotiations with Turkey were

officially opened on officially opened on October 3, 2005.October 3, 2005. The The

screening process which began on October 20, 2005 was screening process which began on October 20, 2005 was

completed on completed on October 18, 2006.October 18, 2006.

AgainstAgainstMany opponents argue that Turkey's current and past Many opponents argue that Turkey's current and past governments do not respect key principles expected in a governments do not respect key principles expected in a

liberal democracyliberal democracy because of because of

discriminationdiscrimination against ethnic minorities, against ethnic minorities,

particularly particularly KurdsKurds, , non-Sunni Muslimnon-Sunni Muslim religious minorities, political dissidents and critics of the religious minorities, political dissidents and critics of the

'Kemalist' nationalism'Kemalist' nationalism, and because of , and because of

the significant role of the the significant role of the armyarmy on the Turkish political on the Turkish political

foreground. Its large foreground. Its large populationpopulation would also alter would also alter the balance of power in the representative European institutions. the balance of power in the representative European institutions.

Some oppose the accession of a large Some oppose the accession of a large Muslim Muslim country. country.

MEMBERS

CANDIDATES

ForFor Arguments in favour of Turkey joining include the belief that this Arguments in favour of Turkey joining include the belief that this

would bolster democratic institutions in Turkey, would bolster democratic institutions in Turkey, strengthen strengthen the EU's economythe EU's economy with the addition of an with the addition of an OECDOECD ( ( OrganiOrganizzation for Economic Co-operation and Development)ation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and and

G-20G-20 ( (Group of 20 industrial nations) member to the bloc, and Group of 20 industrial nations) member to the bloc, and

strengthen the EU's military with the addition of strengthen the EU's military with the addition of the the second largest armed force of second largest armed force of NATONATO. Proponents also argue that it abides by most conditions . Proponents also argue that it abides by most conditions for accession. Some maintain that the EU can no longer refuse for accession. Some maintain that the EU can no longer refuse

Turkey, as it has had an open candidacy for over Turkey, as it has had an open candidacy for over 40 years40 years, ,

and has made major improvements in and has made major improvements in human rightshuman rights in in order to try to satisfy the entry conditions. order to try to satisfy the entry conditions.

ExpectationsExpectations

"Europe needs a stable, democratic and more prosperous Turkey "Europe needs a stable, democratic and more prosperous Turkey

which adopts our which adopts our valuesvalues, our rule of law, and our common , our rule of law, and our common

policies. The accession perspective has already driven forward bold policies. The accession perspective has already driven forward bold

and significant reforms. If the rule of and significant reforms. If the rule of lawlaw and and human human

rightsrights are guaranteed throughout the country, Turkey can join are guaranteed throughout the country, Turkey can join

the EU and thus become an even stronger bridge between the EU and thus become an even stronger bridge between

civilizations as it is already today." civilizations as it is already today."

Matt RosenbergMatt Rosenberg