Turksy and the Euroean UnionEssay Preview: Turksy and the Euroean UnionReport this essayTurkey and the European unionLet us begin this by looking at what the EU wants from Turkey. The criteria for EU membership adopted by the Copenhagen European Council in June 1993 require that a candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and respect for and protection of minorities; has a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union; and has the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union.
The criteria for EU membership adopted by the Copenhagen European Council in June 1993 require that a candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democratic, the rule of law, human rights, and respect for and protection of minorities; has a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union; and has the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the objectives of political, economic and monetary union.
The concept of the common market also applies to a country like Turkey. According to the Eurozone Council’s 1997 Resolution 2055, the EU seeks to “support the free movement of people from or to other countries, free and fair competition in the trade and investment, economic, political, social and cultural activity of countries that have been or were members of the European Union for more than one single generation, [and] free and fair competition in the economic activity of non-members, where this has a direct and substantial impact on other human rights protection groups and on the stability of the economy, especially on the European financial system.”
Turkey, which is currently engaged in the internal affairs of its former country of Transcaucasia, as well as the internal affairs of Romania in the European Union, has undergone a long-standing historical legacy as a member of the European Union. This record includes the independence of Turkish military command from the Romanian military since the 1980s and the rise of Turkish-speaking separatists and nationalists as more powerful forces. Turkish government officials regularly use the term “independent state”; it has been known as an independent country since 1993.
As recently as two months ago, Turkish troops attacked a European trade mission to Transcaucasia. The military response was swift and brutal. In addition, Turkish government forces were seen and heard as collaborators of Russia. The attacks led to a massive public backlash that has led many of those in the country to denounce the Turkish government’s conduct. The political situation in Transcaucasia today is not just about whether Turkey can or should move ahead in becoming an independent state. It also has to explain why it should be allowed to continue to operate as an economic and political powerhouse, one that provides services to the people of the region.
The current public debate on Turkish involvement in the crisis regarding the EU is just beginning. One of the most common arguments used against Turkey is the political “integrity” of the EU that has been denied by many in the West. While Turkey is not officially part of the EU, Western democracies have expressed support for this legitimacy and are actively involved in the legal process of getting to the EU. Such support is being based on the theory that political integration of Western states and nations is important for a long-term stability of the economies of Turkey and the countries and regions that make
The criteria for EU membership adopted by the Copenhagen European Council in June 1993 require that a candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democratic, the rule of law, human rights, and respect for and protection of minorities; has a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union; and has the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the objectives of political, economic and monetary union.
The concept of the common market also applies to a country like Turkey. According to the Eurozone Council’s 1997 Resolution 2055, the EU seeks to “support the free movement of people from or to other countries, free and fair competition in the trade and investment, economic, political, social and cultural activity of countries that have been or were members of the European Union for more than one single generation, [and] free and fair competition in the economic activity of non-members, where this has a direct and substantial impact on other human rights protection groups and on the stability of the economy, especially on the European financial system.”
Turkey, which is currently engaged in the internal affairs of its former country of Transcaucasia, as well as the internal affairs of Romania in the European Union, has undergone a long-standing historical legacy as a member of the European Union. This record includes the independence of Turkish military command from the Romanian military since the 1980s and the rise of Turkish-speaking separatists and nationalists as more powerful forces. Turkish government officials regularly use the term “independent state”; it has been known as an independent country since 1993.
As recently as two months ago, Turkish troops attacked a European trade mission to Transcaucasia. The military response was swift and brutal. In addition, Turkish government forces were seen and heard as collaborators of Russia. The attacks led to a massive public backlash that has led many of those in the country to denounce the Turkish government’s conduct. The political situation in Transcaucasia today is not just about whether Turkey can or should move ahead in becoming an independent state. It also has to explain why it should be allowed to continue to operate as an economic and political powerhouse, one that provides services to the people of the region.
The current public debate on Turkish involvement in the crisis regarding the EU is just beginning. One of the most common arguments used against Turkey is the political “integrity” of the EU that has been denied by many in the West. While Turkey is not officially part of the EU, Western democracies have expressed support for this legitimacy and are actively involved in the legal process of getting to the EU. Such support is being based on the theory that political integration of Western states and nations is important for a long-term stability of the economies of Turkey and the countries and regions that make
Thus we can look at what Turkey is facing now. The main problem that faces Turkey is that it is still not a functioning and stable democracy that has the rule of law, that is respecting human rights and protecting minorities. The sporadic disappearances of people in the custody of the authorities and also the suppression of the right of free press and expression in connection with the Kurdish problem has been a stalemate. Also the EUs concerns about the role of the army in political life have to be addressed. Furthermore, under the democracy and human rights agenda Turkeys not so disturbing actions towards its own Kurdish citizens and their rights in a modern democracy is another tripping stone for it, So a solid problem in connection with government and rule persists.
A growing Islamist movement and the continuing gain in popularity of the pro-Islamic political parties is another problem that Turkey faces at home, the European Union not taking too kindly to such orientation inside Turkey. Radicalism of this sort is definitely a minus point in their bid for membership. Here too we see the connection with government and law. This growth of support for such movements may be attributed to the blatant European rejection of Turkey at the Luxembourg summit. People have grown weary of continuous rejection and probably the growth in popularity for the alternative parties an be attributed to such matters.
Finally the Turkish economic burden on the EUs budget represents the greatest obstacle for its membership in the union. Once a member Turkey would qualify for assistance from the EU funding bodies and could bankrupt the EU funds for such areas as economic improvement and structural growth. The