Turkey-EU: Challenges and Opportunities in Turbulent Times
Turkey-EU: Challenges and Opportunities in Turbulent Times

Summary/Abstract: Turkey must undertake more reforms to ensure its democracy meets EU standards. Despite the recent pessimism toward Turkish accession, EU norms still provide the most legitimate platform for Turkish polity. A better division of competences is necessary among Turkey’s executive, legislative and judiciary branches; Kurdish demands must be resolved fairly and sustainably; and an inclusive, multicultural approach toward the Alevites, other minorities and non-Muslim communities in Turkey must be developed. The new constitution must reform the judicial system to restore its credibility and expand freedom of speech and freedom of the press to European levels. The political culture must also evolve toward more participatory and conciliatory discourse, the general hallmark of European democracies.

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