Turkey and the Eu

4. The process for Turkey’s application to the EU has been a long- winded process, which is still unfinished. Discuss the reasons for this “unfinished business”, using arguments for and against an EU membership of Turkey.

Turkey’s membership is a contentious issue for a multitude of political, social and economic reasons. The controversial opinions and disputes towards this matter have prolonged its progress towards EU membership. Are these issues being justly criticised and will Turkeys application to the EU ever be successful?

Turkey has been associated with the EU since 1959 when they applied for associate membership in the European Economic Community. The Ankara Association Agreement was signed in 1963, aiming at bringing Turkey into a customs union with the EEC and, eventually, membership. They were one of the founding members of the OECD in 1961 and the OSCE in 1973. Turkey’s application for full membership began in 1987. In 1995 a customs union was established and subsequently trade between the EU and Turkey has increased making them the 6th biggest export destination to the EU and the 13th largest exporter to the EU. It therefore seems incomprehensible that despite this lengthy involvement with the EU, that they have so far failed to become a full member.

The factors, which have caused such controversy among EU members with regard to Turkish membership, can be better understood with further investigation into the benefits and disadvantages of Turkey being a member of the EU.

European enlargement process must be guided by certain criteria and the primary requirement is the consideration whether a prospective member is regarded as ‘European’. As an example, Morocco was rejected on this basis. Turkey has taken a conscious decision for a long-term foreign policy to be towards the West, considering themselves to be European, meeting criteria of...