Turkey's road to the Europe Union : a transition to dictatorship?

Abstract

Turkey has not been granted membership of the European Union, even though the accession negotiations were formally launched in October 2005. Nevertheless, while negotiations have had an initial significant economic and social progress in line with the Union’s requirements, they officially ended in December 2016 following the July 15th coup that brought Turkey on its path to an autocratic rule. This thesis studies why Turkey is interested in the EU and why it has not achieved its membership goal. In order to identify the problem, the implications that blockade or delay the Turkish membership are observed. Moreover, it is argued that the slow progress of Turkey in the accession to the European Union is not simply due to a failure to comply with the “official” membership criteria. European attitudes towards these official requirements have represented a double standard and have prevented Turkey from acceding to the Union. The proposed idea of a “Privileged Partnership” to be established between EU and Turkey, aiming towards a closer association with the Union is analysed as well.