Turkey's Policy Towards the European Union: Objectives and Outcomes Until 2002

Authors

  • Huda Jumaa Ziad Al-Thalmi

Keywords:

Turkey's Policy - European Union - Objectives - Outcomes - Turkish-European Relations - Developments up to 2002 - European Integration - Turkish Foreign Policy

Abstract

Turkey sought to integrate into the West, which sometimes required coercive measures to eliminate opposing symbols. Successive Turkish governments worked to build administrative, political, and economic institutions inspired by Western models and provided the necessary commitments to military alliances. Turkey joined NATO in April 1952, the Baghdad Pact in 1955, and CENTO in 1959, and was among the first countries to recognize Israel in 1949. In June 1959, Turkey applied to join the European Economic Community and succeeded in signing the Ankara Agreement for economic partnership with Europe in 1963. Europe encouraged Turkey to take further steps toward membership and placed significant security importance on Turkey during the Cold War, given its geographical proximity to the former Soviet Union. Turkey took a series of legal, economic, and political steps to enhance its European identity, considering that it has an extension in Europe that justifies this identity. EU membership became a strategic option for Turkey, as the Turkish elite believed that meeting the economic and democratic membership criteria was achievable over time. Turkey applied for full membership in 1987, but its application was rejected. Nevertheless, Europe did not completely close the door on membership, and Turkey continued to seek to strengthen its relations with European capitals. The European policy toward Turkey aimed to push it closer to membership standards while attempting to distance itself from Arab and Islamic countries. In 1995, Turkey succeeded in signing a customs union agreement with the EU, aimed at eliminating customs restrictions. Some Islamic circles in Turkey, such as the dissolved Welfare Party, viewed this agreement as a means to support secular parties in the December 1995 elections. In the same year, Turkey made amendments to laws related to human rights, such as allowing workers to participate in politics and lowering the voting age. However, these steps were considered insufficient by the EU, and Brussels' negative decision in December 1997 regarding Turkey's membership came as a shock to governmental entities, especially after Cyprus's membership application was accepted. Turkey responded angrily to Brussels' decision, with several Turkish leaders accusing the EU of becoming a "Christian club." In contrast, European statements toward Turkey became more severe, pointing to cultural differences, disputes with Greece, and a lack of democracy. However, integration between the two sides could be realized if Turkey continued its internal and external reforms, and if the EU retracted some of its reservations

Published

2025-02-27