Week 4 - Video 1
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