Turkey, a Special EU Neighbour Patiently Awaiting a “Promised Marriage”
Turkey, a Special EU Neighbour Patiently Awaiting a “Promised Marriage”

Summary/Abstract: This article summarizes Turkey-EU relations from historical and formal perspectives and discusses the main challenges during the accession talks toward full membership. In doing so, it presents the main debates about Turkey’s possible membership and argues that whatever the EU ultimately decides, it will be consequential not only for Turkey’s future but also for that of the EU. The EU’s admission of Turkey will cause significant changes within the EU, enhancing its international standing, energizing its economy, and contributing to its security and foreign policy goals. Turkey’s future direction will be anchored to that of the EU. The EU’s rejection of Turkey’s membership will limit the EU’s future foreign and security policy capabilities and make the EU a “Christian Club” in the eye of the Muslim World. Turkey will seek an alternative course to EU membership and even if their economic partnership continues, Turkey’s future foreign and security policies will gradually depart from those of the EU.

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