Changing Patterns In Turkey-Eu Relations: From Eligibility To Candidacy An Beyond

Abstract

This paper analyzes the changing patterns in the evolution of TurkeyEU relations. Turkey's long march to Europe has demonstrated three different patterns. 'Enduring association without accession', 'the reinforcing dynamics tovvards full-membership' and 'enduring association with an indefınite accession'. The fırst pattern includes the period from the establishment of association relations to the Helsinki Summit. Turkey was confırmed to be eligible for membership in this period. The second pattern starts with the period in Helsinki Summit, in vvhich Turkey gained a candidacy status. The third pattern, enduring association vvith an indefinite accession, seems to describe the situation started vvith the accession negotiations. The third pattern determines the road-map for Turkey on the way to the EU. This paper argues that the third pattern can lead Turkey-EU relations to a great ambiguity. After evaluating historically the validity of these patterns in Turkey-EU relations and their link vvith the internal dynamics of the European integration process, the manuscript investigates the implications and impacts of these patterns for future Turkey-EU relations. This paper gives a special attention to the discussion of a 'privileged partnership' betvveen Turkey and the EU.