Welcome to the graduate course entitled “Turkey-European Union Relations in a Global Perspective.”
This course is designed by the European Studies programme at METU as a part of the Jean Monnet Module project, “MEDIATE: Mending the Gap in Turkey-European Union Relations in the Post-Pandemic Era."
For more information about the project, please visit the MEDIATE webpage.
This online course aims at bringing into discussion the current dynamics, actors and events in Turkey-EU relations. The course objective is to broaden the perspective of the students on Turkey-EU relations by providing them a variety of theoretical approaches and events to better understand and evaluate the course and current state of the relations. For this aim, the course presents different perspectives and theoretical backgrounds analysing Turkey-EU relations. The course also places the Turkey-EU relations in a global context, by focusing on the role of United States, Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean in the context of Turkey-EU relations historically and currently. In addition, important topics and dynamics affecting the course of relations, such as the Cyprus issue, Customs Union, EU Green Deal, migration and public opinion are also separately focused on. Lastly, the course discusses the governance of Turkey-EU relations to reflect upon the actors and their roles both in Turkey and at the EU level.
At the end of the course, the students will be able to:
- compare and contrast different theoretical perspectives to analyse Turkey-EU relations;
- analyse political, economic, legal dimensions of Turkey-EU relations across various issues;
- evaluate the basic current dynamics of Turkey-EU relations; and,
- critically reflect upon the Turkey-EU relations in an informed and analytical manner.
Week 1: Introduction to the Course
Week 2: Historical development of Turkey-EU relations
Week 3-4-5: Theoretical Approaches to Turkey-EU relations
Europeanisation/De-Europeanisation; Differentiated Integration; Critical Political Economy
Week 6: Changing global context and Turkey-EU Relations
Role of US in Turkey-EU relations; Transatlantic relations.
Week 7-8: Politics of Turkey-EU relations
Cyprus issue; Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean
Week 9: Economics of Turkey-EU relations
Customs Union between EU and Turkey; EU Green Deal and Turkey
Week 10-11: Governance of Turkey-EU Relations
In Turkey and in the European Union (European Council and EU Summits; European
Commission; European Parliament)
Week 12-13: Issues in Turkey-EU Relations
Migration; and, Public opinion
Week 14: Future of Turkey-EU Relations
The EU enlargement process and Turkey
Prof. Atila Eralp
METU, Department of International Relations
IEMed Barcelona, 07 February 2012
History of Turkey-EU Relations (2012-2022)
Prof. Atila Eralp
METU, Department of International Relations
MEDIATE, 6 March 2022
Prof. Eralp briefly introduces the past and the future of the Turkey-EU relationship based on the two crucial patterns. By stating that the relationship has a long-lasting and cyclical character, Eralp draws attention to the downward periods of the integration process. The relationship is revisited under the effects of the multiple crises in the international realm and the shifts in the democratic context in the domestic dimension. Eralp finalizes his words with a review of the predictions for the future of the Turkey-EU relationship.
Outline of the Video Presentation
Themes of the periodization
Crucial patterns in the Turkey-EU relationship:
i. Turkey-EU relationship is a long-lasting one
ii. Turkey-EU relationship is a cyclical relationship with ups and downs
The time factor in the Turkey-EU relationship: Ups and downs of the relationship and the future expectations.
A brief history of the downwards relationship between Turkey-EU
Starting of the accession negotiations in 2005: the beginning of a long-lasting down period
The effect of multiple crises on the EU integration related to constitutional, financial, and refugee crises, Brexit issue, pandemic, and Ukraine crisis. There are three themes of the effect of crises, namely widening, enlargement, and deepening.
Changes in the French and German attitudes toward enlargement of the EU
Cyprus factor in brief
The shift in the domestic context in Turkey accompanying the backsliding of democratic and political reforms
Freezing of the accession process
A change in the Turkey-EU relationship into a transactional one by cooperating on functional issues such as migration, energy, foreign policy, and security.
About the future of the Turkey-EU relationship
Possible scenarios of the Turkey-EU relationship by the FEUTURE Project on the grounds of whether the stance of the relationship is convergence, cooperation, or conflict
Shift into a more conflictual pattern in the relationship
Five predictions on the future of Turkey-EU relationships
The present stance of EU and Turkey on the relationship
Conclusion
Winds of change
Turbulent global context
Eralp, A., & Torun, Z. (2015). Perceptions and Europeanization in Turkey before the EU candidacy: An overview of history. In: A. Tekin & A. Güney (Eds.), The Europeanization of Turkey: Polity and Politics. New York: Routledge, pp. 14-30.
Eralp, A. (2009). The role of temporality and interaction in the Turkey-EU relationship. New Perspectives on Turkey, 40, pp. 147–168.
Hauge, H-L., Eralp, A., Wessels, W. & Bedir, N. S. (2016). Mapping Milestones and Periods of Past Turkey-EU Relations. FEUTURE Working Paper, September 2016.
Tekin, A. (2015). Introduction: a framework of analysis for the Europeanisation of Turkey. In Tekin, A. and Güney, A. (eds.) Europeanisation of Turkey Polity and Politics, Routledge, pp. 3-13.
Alpan, B. (2021). Europeanisation and EU-Turkey Relations: Three Domains, Four Periods. In W. Reiners & E. Turhan (eds.), EU-Turkey Relations - Theories, Institutions, and Policies. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 107-137.
Börzel, T. A. (2016) Europeanisation Meets Turkey. A Case Sui Generis? In Ç. Nas and Y. Özer (eds) Turkey and the European Union: Processes of Europeanisation, Routledge. pp. 9-22.
Aydın-Düzgit, S. & Kaliber, A. (2016) Encounters with Europe in an Era of Domestic and International Turmoil: Is Turkey a De-Europeanising Candidate Country? South European Society and Politics, 21:1, pp. 1-14.
Differentiated Integration and Turkey-EU Relations
Dr. Funda Tekin
IEP, Institut für Europäische Politik
MEDIATE, 22 March 2022
Dr. Tekin elaborates on the importance of the concept of differentiated integration for EU-Turkey relations. After clarifying why Turkey is a unique accession candidate, Tekin discusses the alternative forms of integration to the EU. By addressing various theoretical approaches to the differentiated integration concept, the discussion concludes with its further implications for the EU and Turkey relations.
Outline of the Video Presentation
Why is differentiated integration a relevant concept when one analyzes EU-TR relations?
Why is Turkey a unique accession candidate?
i. Turkey fatigue
ii. Stagnation of the accession negotiations
iii. Various forms of integration between the EU and Turkey other than accession
Conflictual cooperation between EU and Turkey
How can differentiated integration be conceptualised in view of the EU-Turkey relations?
What does differentiated integration actually mean?
External and internal dimensions of differentiation
The concept of the variety of geometries to explain Turkey’s unique stance
The political and academic debate on EU-Turkey relations and whether the differentiation actually features the relationship
The idea of alternative forms of a corporation re-emerges in the debate with Brexit
Whether or not to abolish the accession perspective all together
Debate on the concepts of dynamic association and Turkish functional integration as alternative forms of the integration
Explanatory value of differentiated integration
Overview of the three theoretical approaches to the differentiation perspective:
i. Historical institutionalist perspective on the differentiated integration
ii. Liberal intergovernmentalism on the differentiated integration
iii. Functionalist explanation of differentiated integration
How do the variable geometries of EU-Turkey relations currently look like?
Conclusion: Implications
Müftüler-Baç, M. (2017). Turkey’s future with the European Union: An alternative model of differentiated integration. Turkish Studies, 18(3), pp. 416–438.
Tekin, F. (2021). Differentiated Integration: An Alternative Conceptualization of EU-Turkey Relations. In W. Reiners & E. Turhan (eds.), EU-Turkey Relations: Theories, Institutions, and Policies. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 157-181.
Turhan, E. (2017). Thinking out of the Accession Box: The Potential and Limitations of Internal and External Differentiated Integration Between Turkey and the EU. CIFE Policy Paper N°58, Centre International de Formation Européenne.
Critical Political Economy and Turkey-EU Relations
Assoc. Prof. Elif Uzgören
Dokuz Eylül University
MEDIATE, 29 March 2022
Yalman, G. L., & Göksel, A. (2017). Transforming Turkey? Putting the Turkey-European Union relations into a historical perspective. Uluslararası İlişkiler, 14(56), pp. 23–37.
Uzgören, E. (2021a). Studying Trajectory of Turkey’s EU Membership: Criticisms and Contributions of Critical Political Economy. In B. Radeljić (Ed.) The Unwanted Europeanness? Understanding Division and Inclusion in Contemporary Europe. Berlin/Boston: Walter de Gruyter GmbH. pp. 261–280.
Uzgören, E. (2021b). Globalisation and the struggle over hegemony in a peripheral context: Turkey’s membership bid to the European Union. Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies, 23:2, pp. 199-217.
Global Context of Turkey-EU Relations and the US factor
Soli Özel
Kadir Has University, Department of International Relations
MEDIATE, 6 April 2022
Soli Özel discusses the historical moments that influence Turkey-EU and Turkey-US relations from a critical perspective. Throughout this detailed speech, the position of Turkey is discussed in line with the transformations in international relations. Özel concludes by stating insights on the possibilities in both Turkey-EU and Turkey-US relations.
Outline of the Video Presentation
The effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on international relations
A brief look at the end of the Cold War era
The turning points of history from 1989 onwards
i. September 11
ii. 2008 Economic Crisis
iii. 2016 Brexit Referendum
iv. Election of Trump to the presidency of the US in 2016
Ramifications of decolonization
A weakened West and emerging ex-colonized world
A closer look at Russian – Ukraine relations
Turkey-EU relations
Cyprus issue
Important historical moments for the Turkey-EU relations
The position of America on Turkey’s membership
The discussion on Turkey being a western or eastern country
Augmented strategic importance of Turkey
Important occasions for Turkey-US relations
Ongoing accession process of Turkey to the EU
Turkish foreign policy transforming from a pragmatic one to an ideological driven
Conclusion by revisiting the possibilities in Turkey-EU and Turkey-US relations
Eralp, A., & Keyman, E. F. (2020). A Fumbling or An Enabling European Union: Envisioning Multilateralism in A Post-Corona World. IPC Mercator Policy Brief.
Tocci, N. (2012). Let’s talk Turkey! US influence on EU–Turkey relations. Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 25:3, pp. 399-416.
Arısan-Eralp, N., Aydın-Düzgit, S., Eralp, A., Keyman, E. F., & Nas, Ç. (2021). Turkey-U.S. Relations in the Changing Transatlantic Context. IPC Mercator Policy Brief.
Öniş, Z. & Yılmaz, S. (2005) The Turkey-EU-US Triangle in Perspective: Transformation or Continuity? Middle East Journal, 59/2, pp. 265-284.
Cyprus Issue in the context of Turkey-EU Relations
Assoc. Prof. Galip Yalman, Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Middle East Technical University
Assoc. Prof. Umut Bozkurt, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Eastern Mediterranean University
Dr. Nilgün Öner Tangör, Middle East Technical University.
MEDIATE, 8 April 2022
Eralp, A. (2010). The Last Chance in Cyprus Negotiations and the Turkey-EU Relationship. ELIAMEP Thesis, Feb. 2010, 1/2010.
Ulusoy, K. (2016). The Cyprus Conflict: Turkey’s Strategic Dilemma. Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies, 18(4), 393–406.
Yalman, G. & C. Balkır (2009). Economics and Politicization of the Civil Society: the Turkish-Cypriot Case. In T. Diez & N. Tocci (eds.), Cyprus: A Conflict at the Crossroads. Manchester University Press, pp. 48-65.
The Middle East and Turkey-EU relations
Prof. Özlem Tür
METU, Department of International Relations
MEDIATE, 27 April 2022
Energy Issues
Dr. Nilgün Öner Tangör
Middle East Technical University
MEDIATE, 15 April 2022
Dr. Öner Tangör presents phases in the Turkey-EU relations with regard to the energy policy agendas. Emphasising the close link between geopolitical and economic concerns, she discusses the energy issue as a political one. After showing the different perspectives and interests among the EU countries in the energy debates, Dr. Öner Tangör proposes suggestions on the energy strategy.
Outline of the Video Presentation
Appearance of Turkey as an important country in the EU’s energy agenda
The initiation of the Southern gas corridor in 2008
Replacement of the Nabucco project by Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP)
Energy issue becoming primarily a political issue rather than an economic concern for Turkey
Russian-Ukraine crisis
A new problematic phase in the EU-Turkey relationship
Energy market regulations to be the key concern for the EU
The consensus and requirements on the definition of a regional energy hub
Different perspectives and interests within the EU regarding energy market liberalization and energy security debate
A pragmatic approach by the EU in a way to enhance cooperation with Turkey in the energy policy area
The changing role of Turkey in the eyes of the EU
The effects of privatization and state-owned economic enterprises on Turkey’s energy agenda
Conclusion with reference to the implications on the energy strategy
Middle East:
Dinçer, O. B. & Kutlay, M. (2013). The Arab Spring: A Game Changer in Turkey-EU Relations? Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 14:4, pp. 418-430.
Tür, Ö. (2019). Turkey’s Role in Middle East and Gulf Security. Asian Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, 13:4, pp. 592-603.
Kirişçi, K. (2012). The EU, Turkey, and the Arab Spring: Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Integration. Global Turkey in Europe, Working Paper 1, Istituto affari internazionali, November 2012.
Müftüler-Baç, M. and Cihangir-Tetik, D. (2022). Turkey and the European Union in the Middle East Potential for cooperation or continuing discord? In D. Bouris, D. Huber & M. Pace (et al.) Routledge Handbook of EU–Middle East Relations, London: Routledge.
Adar, S. & Toygür, I. (2020). Turkey, the EU and the Eastern Mediterranean Crisis Militarization of Foreign Policy and Power Rivalry. SWP Comment, No.62, December 2020.
Energy Issues:
Eralp, A. & Öner Tangör, N. N. (2017). Turkey’s Hub Strategy Conundrum: Energy Debate Meets Foreign Policy. In M. Schröder, M. O. Bettzüge & W. Wessels (et al.) Turkey as an Energy Hub? Nomos Publications, pp. 221–234.
Sartori, N. (2021). EU–Turkey Energy Dialogue: Moving Beyond the Accession Negotiations Framework. In W. Reiners & E. Turhan (eds.), EU-Turkey Relations: Theories, Institutions, and Policies. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 373-393.
Customs Union between EU and Turkey
Nilgün Arısan Eralp
TEPAV - Director of the European Union Institute
MEDIATE, 29 April 2022
Arısan Eralp introduces the origins and the history of the Customs Union as well as the current repercussions. After presenting how Turkey’s volume of trade with the EU has changed over time, Arısan Eralp draws attention to the importance of upgrading the Customs Union both for Turkey and for international dispute settlement mechanisms. Arısan Eralp concludes by underlining recent agendas of the European Union and its implications for Turkey.
Introduction: The origins and the history of the Customs Union
How Turkish economy was prepared for the Customs Union?
Suspension of the Customs Union in 1978
Refusal of the application for full membership to the EU in 1990
The Customs Union negotiations
Turkey’s volume of trade with the EU
Turkey’s status transforms from an exporter of textiles and agriculture to an industrial manufacturer and exporter of automotive and machinery
Turkey’s accession negotiations
Upgrading of Customs Union
Why EU did not give a mandate to the European Commission to negotiate the modernization of the Customs Union?
The importance of the upgrading of the Customs Union for Turkey
Conclusion by recent agendas of the European Union and its implications for Turkey
EU Green Deal and Turkey
Prof. Ebru Voyvoda
METU, Department of Economics
MEDIATE, 10 May 2022
Customs Union between EU and Turkey
Özer, Y. (2020). Modernising the EU-Turkey Customs Union as An Interest-Driven Initiative. Ankara Avrupa Çalışmaları Dergisi, 19(1), pp. 175–197.
Nas, Ç. (2018). Turkey-EU Customs Union: Its Modernization and Potential for Turkey-EU Relations. Insight Turkey, 20(3), pp. 43–60.
Arısan-Eralp, N. (2018). The Unique Nature of Modernizing the Customs Union. Turkish Policy Quarterly, September 2018.
Yılmaz, K. (2011). The EU–Turkey Customs Union Fifteen Years Later: Better, Yet not the Best Alternative. South European Society and Politics, 16(2), pp. 235–249.
Green Deal
İzci Connelly, R. (2021). An environmental perspective on Turkey-EU Relations. In A. A. Bilgin (ed.) Turkey/EU Relations in the Shadows of Crisis – A Break-up or Revival?, Lexington Books: London.
Aşıcı, A. A. and Acar, S. (2022). Channels of Cooperation Between the EU and Turkey on Green Transformation. Ankara Avrupa Çalışmaları Dergisi, 21 (1), pp. 43-67.
Governance of Turkey-EU Relations in Turkey
Nilgün Arısan Eralp
Director of the European Union Institute TEPAV - The Economic Policy and Research Foundation of Turkey
MEDIATE, 8 May 2022
Arısan Eralp presents a brief history of the institutional structure of coordination of Turkey’s preparations for EU membership. The institutional settlements for dealing with Turkey’s relationship with the EU is delivered starting from the pre-candidacy period. Arısan Eralp finalizes her words with an assessment of the functioning of the recent institutional units in the Directorate of EU Affairs.
Outline of the Video Presentation
Introduction
Pre-candidacy period
Inter-institutional dispute in international relations theory
Institutional settlement for dealing with Turkey’s relationship with the EU
Renegotiation of the Customs Union process
Impact of the announcement of Turkey as a candidate for accession to the institutional setting
Transformation of the Secretary-General for EU Affairs to the Ministry of EU Affairs in 2011
Abolishment of the Ministry of EU Affairs in 2018 and changing into a directorate
A brief assessment of the functioning of the institutional units in the Directorate of EU Affairs
Governance of Turkey-EU Relations in Turkey
Prof. Hasan Engin Şener
Yıldırım Beyazıt University Faculty of Management
MEDIATE, 29 April 2022
Günay, D. (2015). The organisation of Turkey’s central executive for the EU. In A. Tekin, A. and A. Güney (eds) Europeanisation of Turkey Polity and Politics, Routledge, pp. 50-64.
Esen, E. and Şener, H. E. (2010). Evolution of the Institutional Architecture of Turkey-EU Relations. In H.E. Şener and E. Esen (eds) Avrupa Birliği’ne Üyelik Sürecinin Örgütlenmesi, Phoneix, pp. 39-64.
European Council/EU Summits
Turhan, E., & Wessels, W. (2021). The European Council as a Key Driver of EU-Turkey Relations: Central Functions, Internal Dynamics and Evolving Preferences. In W. Reiners & E. Turhan (Eds.), EU-Turkey Relations - Theories, Institutions, and Policies. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 185-217.
Arısan-Eralp, N., Aydın-Düzgit, S., Eralp, A., Keyman, E. F., & Nas, Ç. (2020). EU-Turkey Relations After the Council Summit: A Chance for Reengagement or Facing A Complete Breakdown? IPC Mercator Policy Brief.
Arısan-Eralp, N., Aydın-Düzgit, S., Eralp, A., Keyman, E.F., & Nas, Ç. (2021). Turkey-EU Relations before the March Summit: The Way Forward? IPC Mercator Policy Brief.
European Commission and Turkey
Bürgin, A. (2021). The European Commission’s Role in EU-Turkey Relations. In W. Reiners & E. Turhan (Eds.), EU-Turkey Relations - Theories, Institutions, and Policies. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 219-239.
European Parliament and Turkey
Kaeding, M., & Schenuit, A. (2021). The European Parliament’s Perspective on EU-Turkey Relations. In W. Reiners & E. Turhan (Eds.), EU-Turkey Relations - Theories, Institutions, and Policies. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 241-263.
Gürkan, S. (2018). “The role of the European Parliament in Turkey-EU relations: A troublemaker or a useful normative actor?”, Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, 18:1, pp. 107-125.
Aydın-Düzgit (2015). European parliament ‘doing’ Europe: Unravelling the right-wing culturalist discourse on Turkey’s accession to the EU. Journal of Language and Politics, 14(1), pp. 154-174.
Migration and Turkey-EU Relations
Assoc. Prof. Başak Kale
METU, Department of International Relations
MEDIATE, 24 May 2022
Assoc. Prof. Kale presents the general framework of how migration played an important role in Turkey – EU relations. After showing the impact of the accession process of Turkey to the EU on the Turkish legislation and policies, Kale discusses the EU’s effort to establish a common migration policy in detail. Bearing upon the refugee crisis, she calls attention to the revitalization of Turkey and EU relations. Kale closes her speech with a critical evaluation of recent developments on the migration issue.
Outline of the Video Presentation
Introduction
The fact of migration in Turkish history before Turkey-EU relations
Impact of the accession process on Turkey’s legislation and policies
EU’s effort to establish a common migration policy
The difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee
The cooperation between Turkey and the EU on irregular migrants
i. Financial cooperation
ii. Geographic cooperation: 1951 Geneva Convention
Effects of the EU-Turkey accession negotiations
Syrian refugees in Turkey
Discussion on the temporariness of refugees in Turkey
Realization of the issue as a crisis and repercussions of the crisis in Europe
Revitalization of Turkey-EU relations
Cyprus and energy issues in the context of frozen EU-Turkey relations
Conclusion: A general appraisal
Migration and Turkey-EU Relations
Assoc. Prof. Başak Yavçan
MEDIATE, 23 May 2022
Assoc. Prof. Yavçan evaluates the EU-TR relations from the perspective of migration as a policy issue. After presenting the current characterisation of the EU migration policy, the relationship between the EU and Turkey is discussed with reference to the concept of externalization. In that regard, EU-Turkey Migration Deal and its implications are assessed starting from 2015 to the recent developments, including the case of Ukraine. Yavçan concludes by drawing attention to the urgent problem areas in the refugee and border-sharing issues.
Outline of the Video Presentation
Introduction
Current characterization of EU migration policy: internal and external dimensions
Refugee protection issue
Cooperation with the third countries on the migration policy: the policy of externalisation
The EU-Turkey relations in terms of externalization
EU-Turkey Migration Deal and its implications
Did migration cooperation between Turkey and the EU meet the hopes of more cooperation on the path to EU membership?
Irregular migrant issue
Border dispute
Recent developments in the resilience of the Turkish society and the Syrian refugee community: health care, education, and beneficiaries
Are the ways of supporting refugee groups in Turkey sufficient?
Urgent problem areas and suggestions
Discussion on burden sharing and solidarity for the case of Ukraine
Conclusion: What does the EU-Turkey deal mean?
Kale, B., et al. (2018). Asylum Policy and the Future of Turkey-EU Relations: Between Cooperation and Conflict, FEUTURE Online Paper Series No.18, April 2018.
Dimitriadi, A. & Kaya, A. (2021). EU-Turkey Relations on Migration: Transactional Partnership. In B. Saatçioğlu and F. Tekin (eds) Turkey and the European Union Key Dynamics and Future Scenarios, Nomos Publications, pp. 167 – 186.
Aydın-Düzgit, S., Keyman, E. F. & Biehl, K.S. (2019). Changing Parameters of Migration Cooperation: Beyond the EU-Turkey Deal? Istanbul Policy Center (IPC), Sabancı University, Stiftung Mercator Initiative.
Turhan, E. and Yıldız, A. (2022) Turkey’s external differentiated integration with the EU in the field of migration governance: The case of border management” in B. Leruth, S. Gänzle, J. Trondal (et. al) The Routledge Handbook of Differentiation in the European Union, Routledge, pp. 502-518.
Saatçioğlu, B. (2020) The European Union’s refugee crisis and rising functionalism in EU-Turkey relations, Turkish Studies, 21:2, 169-187, DOI: 10.1080/14683849.2019.1586542
Public Opinion and Turkey-EU Relations
Assoc. Prof. Özgehan Şenyuva
METU, Department of International Relations
MEDIATE, 2 June 2022
Assoc. Prof. Şenyuva presents the discussions around public opinion on the European consensus and EU membership. With the help of concepts like permissive consensus and Euroscepticism, Şenyuva enlightens the representation question. After analyzing the case of support for EU membership, Şenyuva concludes with reference to a debate on differentiated integration.
Outline of the Video Presentation
Introduction
How much the EU is affecting the everyday lives of the member state citizens and Turkey?
Permissive consensus
The original idea behind the European consensus
The democratic deficit of the EU
Representation issue: Does the European Parliament truly represents the majority of the European citizens?
The effect of European Parliament decisions on the national politics
Euroscepticism
Analysis of the case of supporting EU membership
Types of support: reservoir and specific support
Comparing public opinion in member countries vs candidate countries
Factors affecting public opinion on support: rational calculation, trust, and national politics
European public opinion on Turkish membership in the EU
Conclusion: Debate on differentiated integration
Şenyuva, Ö. (2018). Turkish public opinion and the EU membership: between support and mistrust, FEATURE Online Paper Series No. 26, October 2018.
Şenyuva, Ö. (2018). Turkey-EU relations hit by populist rhetoric. In Ç. Üstün (ed.), The Rise and Fall of Europeanization: What is Next for Turkey-EU Relations?. Peter Lang.
Çarkoğlu, A., & Kentmen, Ç. (2011). Diagnosing Trends and Determinants in Public Support for Turkey's EU membership. South European Society and Politics, 16(3), pp. 365–379.
Yaka, Ö. (2016) Why Not EU? Dynamics of the Changing Turkish Attitudes Towards EU Membership, Journal of Contemporary European Studies, 24:1, pp. 149-170.
Future of Turkey-EU Relations
Prof. Atila Eralp
METU, Department of International Relations
MEDIATE, 6 June 2022
Prof. Eralp discusses the future of Turkey-EU relations in the context of the future of Europe debates under the influence of the turbulent international context. Eralp draws attention to the headlines of future debates such as green transformation, critique of neoliberalism, becoming more policy-oriented, multilateralism, enlargement, and security. After presenting the current and future portraits of Turkey-Eu relations, Eralp concludes his words by elaborating on what to expect from Turkey-EU relations in the future.
Outline of the Video Presentation
Introduction
Redefinition of Europe and multiple crises
Future debates for EU:
i. Green transformation and criticism of neoliberalism
ii. Focus shifts on the policies rather than the institutions in the EU
iii. Debate on creating a more geopolitical Europe and multilateralism
iv. Discussion on enlargement
v. Issue of creating a secure architecture
The present and future of the Turkey-EU relationship
Turkey-EU relationship turns into a transactional one
The divergence in the time frames of the EU and Turkey
New security orientation and retreat from unilateral foreign policies
Relationship between domestic and international policies
What to expect from Turkey-EU relations in the future?
Concluding remarks
Eralp, A. (2019). Multilateralism Matters: Toward A Rules-Based Turkey-EU Relationship. IPC Mercator Policy Brief, May 2019.
Eralp, A. (2018). Revitalizing Turkey-EU Relations? IPC Mercator Policy Brief, March 2018.
Saatçioğlu, B., Tekin, F. Ekim, S. & Tocci, N. (2019). The Future of EU-Turkey Relations: A Dynamic Association Framework amidst Conflictual Cooperation, FEATURE Synthesis Paper, March 2019.
Toygur, İ. (2022). A New Way Forward for EU-Turkey. Carnegie Europe.
Adar, S. (2022) A Long-Term Outlook at the EU-Turkey Relations: Is (Strategic) Partnership Under the Shadow of Strategic Autonomy Possible? TUSIAD Global Politics Forum – Institut Du Bosphore – Berlin Bosphorus Initiative Briefing Series 2022, Article 1 The World and Turkey in the Interregnum.