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Encyclopedia > Accession of Turkey to the European Union
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Republic of Turkey Because of geopolitical reasons, foreign relations of the Republic of Turkey are primarily with the Western world and its neighboring countries. ...

Image File history File links Türkiye_arması.svg‎ File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Turkey ... Because of geopolitical reasons, foreign relations of the Republic of Turkey are primarily with the Western world and its neighboring countries. ... On 31 December 1995 the customs union between Turkey and the European Union came into effect. ... // [edit] Overview Turkey is a founding member of the United Nations [1], the OIC [2], the OECD [3] and the OSCE [4], a member state of the NATO and the Council of Europe as well as being in accession negotiations with the European Union. ... Foreign Affairs Ministry of Turkey (Turkish: Dışişleri Bakanlığı) is the Republic of Turkey political ministry office, responsible for foreign affairs in Turkey. ... Sign Türkiye Büyükelçiliği - Türkische Botschaft at the Turkish Embassy in Vienna Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C. Turkish Embassy in Ottawa Turkish Embassy in Canberra Turkish Embassy in Vienna Turkish Consulate General in Sydney Turkish Consulate-General in Thessaloniki, Greece Listed below are the... List of Turkish diplomats, past and present. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Politics of Turkey takes place in a framework of a secular parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Turkey is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ...

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One of a number of posters created to promote the Marshall Plan in Europe, featuring Turkey
One of a number of posters created to promote the Marshall Plan in Europe, featuring Turkey

Turkey's formal application to join the European Community—the organization that has since developed into the European Union—was made on April 14th, 1987. Turkey has been a European Union (then the European Economic Community) associate member since 1963.[1] Turkey is also a member of the Council of Europe since 1949, a founding member of the OECD since 1961, a founding member of the OSCE since 1973 and an associate member of the Western European Union since 1992. Turkey signed a Customs Union agreement with the EU in 1995 and was officially recognised as a candidate for full membership on December 12th, 1999 at the Helsinki summit of the European Council. Negotiations were started on October 3, 2005, and the process is likely to take at least a decade to complete. The membership bid has become the central controversy of the ongoing enlargement of the European Union. Image File history File links One of a number of posters created by the Americans to sell the Marshall Plan in Europe. ... Image File history File links One of a number of posters created by the Americans to sell the Marshall Plan in Europe. ... Map of Cold-War era Europe and the Near East showing countries that received Marshall Plan aid. ... The European Community (EC) was originally founded on March 25, 1957 by the signing of the Treaty of Rome under the name of European Economic Community. ... The European Community (EC), most important of three European Communities, was originally founded on March 25, 1957 by the signing of the Treaty of Rome under the name of European Economic Community. ... Anthem Ode to Joy (orchestral)  ten founding members joined subsequently observer at the Parliamentary Assembly observer at the Committee of Ministers  official candidate Seat Strasbourg, France Membership 47 European states 5 observers (Council) 3 observers (Assembly) Leaders  -  Secretary General Terry Davis  -  President of the Parliamentary Assembly Rene van der Linden... The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organization of those developed countries that accept the principles of representative democracy and a free market economy. ... The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an international organization for security. ...  â€¢  â€¢  â€¢ Membership 10 member states 6 associate member states 5 observer countries 7 associate partner countries Establishment Treaty of Brussels  -  Signed 17 March 1948  The Western European Union (WEU) is a partially dormant European defence and security organization, established on the basis of the Treaty of Brussels of 1948 with the... On 31 December 1995 the customs union between Turkey and the European Union came into effect. ... Location of Helsinki in Northern Europe Coordinates: , Country Province Region Uusimaa Sub-region Helsinki Charter 1550 Capital city 1812 Government  - City manager Jussi Pajunen Area  - City 187. ... The European Council (referred to as a European Summit) is a body of the European Union which meets around four times a year. ... The European Union (EU) was created by six founding states in 1957 (following the earlier establishment by the same six states of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1952) and has grown to 27 member states. ...

Contents

History

Background

The modern Republic of Turkey is the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, the sole Islamic power in Europe for almost seven centuries before it sank into a decline that led some to call it the "sick man of Europe".[2] After the Empire's collapse in the wake of World War I, Turkish revolutionaries led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk emerged victorious in the Turkish War of Independence, establishing Turkey as it currently exists today. Atatürk, then Prime Minister and later President of Turkey, implemented a series of reforms that modernized Turkey and moved it more towards European culture.[3] During World War II, Turkey remained neutral until February 1945, when it joined the Allies. During the Cold War, Turkey allied itself with the United States, taking part in the Marshall Plan in 1947, joining as a member state the Council of Europe in 1949,[4] and joining NATO in 1952.[5] “Ottoman” redirects here. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... The Ottoman Empire was founded by Osman I (in Arabic Uthmān, hence the name Ottoman Empire). ... The term Sick Man of Europe is a nickname associated with a European country experiencing a time of economic difficulty and/or poverty. ... Partitioning of the Ottoman Empire is direct consequence of the World War I with the Ottomans involvement in the Middle Eastern theatre. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... The people who master mind the Turkish National Movement: Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Ismet Inonu Fevzi Cakmak Kazim Karabekir Ali Fuat Cebesoy ... “Mustafa Kemal” redirects here. ... Combatants   Turkish Revolutionaries United Kingdom Greece France Italy Armenia Ottoman Empire Georgia Commanders Mustafa Kemal Ä°smet Ä°nönü Kazım Karabekir Ali Fuat Cebesoy Fevzi Çakmak George Milne Henri Gouraud Papoulas Georgios Hatzianestis Drastamat Kanayan Movses Silikyan Süleyman Åžefik Pasha The Turkish War of Independence (Turkish: KurtuluÅŸ Savaşı or... This is a chronological list of every government formed by the Prime Ministers of the Republic of Turkey. ... Presidential flag of Turkey. ... This article or section is incomplete and may require expansion and/or cleanup. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... Turkish-American relations evolved from Turkeys entrance into World War II on the Allied side shortly before the war ended and it becoming a charter member of the United Nations. ... Map of Cold-War era Europe and the Near East showing countries that received Marshall Plan aid. ... Anthem Ode to Joy (orchestral)  ten founding members joined subsequently observer at the Parliamentary Assembly observer at the Committee of Ministers  official candidate Seat Strasbourg, France Membership 47 European states 5 observers (Council) 3 observers (Assembly) Leaders  -  Secretary General Terry Davis  -  President of the Parliamentary Assembly Rene van der Linden... This article is about the military alliance. ...


1960s - 1990s

Turkey first applied for associate membership in the European Economic Community in 1959, and on September 12, 1963 signed the "Agreement Creating An Association Between The Republic of Turkey and the European Economic Community", also known as the Ankara Agreement. This agreement came into effect the following year on December 12, 1964. The Ankara Agreement sought to integrate Turkey into a customs union with the EEC whilst acknowledging the final goal of membership.[6] In November 1970, a further protocol called the "Additional Protocol" established a timetable for the abolition of tariffs and quotas on goods traded between Turkey and the EEC.[3] The European Community (EC), most important of three European Communities, was originally founded on March 25, 1957 by the signing of the Treaty of Rome under the name of European Economic Community. ... is the 255th day of the year (256th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Agreement Creating An Association Between The Republic of Turkey and the European Economic Community (the Ankara Agreement), entered on December 1, 1964, was an agreement entered into by the European Economic Community (ECC) aiming toward the accession of Turkey into the ECC. // Turkey first applied for associate membership in... is the 346th day of the year (347th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ...


1980 saw a temporary stop in relations as a result of the 1980 Turkish military coup following political and economic instability, though the recommencement of multiparty elections in 1983 saw Turkish-EEC relations fully restored. On April 14, 1987, Turkey submitted its application for formal membership into the European Community. The European Commission responded in December 1989 by confirming Ankara’s eventual membership but also by deferring the matter to more favourable times, citing Turkey’s economic and political situation, as well its poor relations with Greece and the conflict with Cyprus as creating an unfavourable environment with which to begin negotiations.[7] This position was confirmed again in the Luxembourg European Council of 1997 in which accession talks were started with central and eastern European states and Cyprus, but not Turkey. During the 1990s, Turkey proceeded with a closer integration with the European Union by agreeing to a customs union in 1995. Moreover, the Helsinki European Council of 1999 proved a milestone as the EU recognised Turkey as a candidate on equal footing with other potential candidates. The September 12, 1980 Turkish coup détat, headed by General Kenan Evren, Chief of the General Staff, was the third military putsch in the history of the Republic after the 1960 coup and the 1971 Coup by Memorandum. Kenan Evren headed the National Security Council (NSC) of five generals... April 14 is the 104th day of the year (105th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 261 days remaining. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Berlaymont, the Commissions seat The European Commission (formally the Commission of the European Communities) is the executive branch of the European Union. ... Relations between Greece and Turkey have been marked by alternating periods of mutual hostility and reconciliation ever since Greece won its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1832. ... Combatants  Turkey  Cyprus Greek military junta The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, referred as the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation by Turkey was a military action against the island nation of Cyprus by Turkey that resulted in the partition of the Republic of Cyprus. ... On 31 December 1995 the customs union between Turkey and the European Union came into effect. ...


2000s

The next significant step in Turkish-EU relations came with the December 2002 Copenhagen European Council. According to it, "the EU would open negotiations with Turkey 'without delay' if the European Council in December 2004, on the basis of a report and a recommendation from the Commission, decides that Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria".


With the 2002 election of the pro-European Justice and Development Party (AKP) led by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a number of reforms led to increasing stability both politically and economically. In 2004, as part of the drive to enter a reunified Cyprus into the EU, the Turkish government supported the UN-backed Annan Plan for Cyprus. This plan was accepted by Turkish Cypriots, but rejected by the Greek Cypriots. At the same time, a three-decade-long period of hyperinflation ended, with inflation reduced to 6% from annual levels of 75% during the mid-1990s.[8] The Justice and Development Party (Turkish: or AK Parti, or AKP[1]) is a Turkish political party that describes itself as centre-right and Islamist. ... ErdoÄŸan redirects here. ... The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The two major communities of the de facto divided island nation of Cyprus held a referendum on settling the Cyprus dispute on 24 April 2004. ... Certain figures in this article use scientific notation for readability. ...



The political reform program of the Erdoğan government continued. This included the abolition of capital punishment, crackdown on torture, and more rights for its Kurdish population. In response to these developments, the European Commission recommended that the negotiations should begin in 2005, but also added various precautionary measures. The EU leaders agreed on December 16, 2004 to start accession negotiations with Turkey from October 3, 2005. Despite an attempt by the Austrian government to offer Turkey less than full membership, EU accession negotiations were officially launched. Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is the execution of a convicted criminal by the state as punishment for crimes known as capital crimes or capital offences. ... Berlaymont, the Commissions seat The European Commission (formally the Commission of the European Communities) is the executive branch of the European Union. ... is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Turkey's accession talks have since been dogged by a number of domestic and external problems. Several European states such as Austria have made their reluctance to allow Turkey into Europe clear. The issue of Cyprus continues to be a major obstacle to negotiations. European officials have commented on the slowdown in Turkish reforms which, combined with the Cyprus problem, has led the EU’s enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn to warn of an impeding ‘train crash’ in negotiations with Turkey.[9] Despite these setbacks, Turkey closed its first chapter of negotiations in June 2006. Olli Rehn Olli Rehn ( ) (born 31 March 1962) is a Finnish politician, currently serving as European Commissioner for Enlargement. ...


The earliest date that Turkey could enter the EU is 2013, the date when the next six-year EU budget will come into force. Ankara is currently aiming to comply with EU law by this date,[10] but Brussels has refused to back 2013 as a deadline.[11] It is believed that the accession process will take at least fifteen years.[12]


Timeline

1959 - Turkey applies for associate membership in the European Economic Community.
1963 - Association Agreement signed, acknowledging the final goal of membership.
1964 - Association Agreement comes into effect.[13]
1970 - Protocol signed providing a timetable for the abolition of tariffs and quotas on goods.
1980 - Freeze in relations following the 1980 Turkish coup d'état.
1983 - Relations fully restored following elections.
1987 - Application for formal membership into the European Community.
1989 - European Commission refuses to immediately begin accession negotiations, citing Turkey’s economic and political situation, poor relations with Greece and their conflict with Cyprus, but overall reaffirming eventual membership as the goal.
1995 - European Union-Turkey Customs Union is formed.
1999 - European Council recognises Turkey as a candidate on equal footing with other potential candidates.
2002 - European Council states that "the EU would open negotiations with Turkey 'without delay' if Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen criteria".
2002 - 2002 Turkish general election brings the pro-EU Justice and Development Party (AKP) to power.
2004 - Turkish government and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus back the Annan Plan for Cyprus.
2004, December - European Union agrees to start negotiations.
2005, October - Opening of six chapters of the Acquis: Right of Establishment & Freedom to provide Services, Company Law, Financial Services, Information Society & Media, Statistics and Financial Control
2006, June - Chapter on Science and Research opened and closed.
2006, December - Continued dispute over Cyprus prompts EU to freeze talks on eight chapters and state no chapters would be closed until a resolution is found[14]
2007, March - Chapter on Enterprise and Industrial Regulations opened[15]
2007, June - Chapters on Statistics and Financial Control opened, but the opening of the chapter on economic and monetary policy was blocked by French President Nicholas Sarkozy.[16]

The European Community (EC), most important of three European Communities, was originally founded on March 25, 1957 by the signing of the Treaty of Rome under the name of European Economic Community. ... The September 12, 1980 Turkish coup détat, headed by General Kenan Evren, Chief of the General Staff, was the third military putsch in the history of the Republic after the 1960 coup and the 1971 Coup by Memorandum. Kenan Evren headed the National Security Council (NSC) of five generals... The European Community (EC) was originally founded on March 25, 1957 by the signing of the Treaty of Rome under the name of European Economic Community. ... On 31 December 1995 the customs union between Turkey and the European Union came into effect. ... The European Council (referred to as a European Summit) is a body of the European Union which meets around four times a year. ... The Copenhagen criteria are the rules that define whether a country is eligible to join the European Union. ... Turkeys 15th general election was held two years early on Sunday 3 November 2002, following the collapse of the DSP-MHP-ANAP coalition led by Bülent Ecevit. ... The Justice and Development Party (Turkish: or AK Parti, or AKP[1]) is a Turkish political party that describes itself as centre-right and Islamist. ... Anthem Ä°stiklâl Marşı(Turkish) Independence March Capital Nicosia Official languages Turkish Government Representative democratic republic1  -  President Mehmet Ali Talat  -  Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer Sovereignty from Cyprus   -  Proclaimed November 15, 1983   -  Recognition By Turkey   -  Independence from Cyprus   -  Declared November 15, 1983  Area  -  Total 3,355 km² (not ranked) 1... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... ← - 2004 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → Deaths in December • 30 Artie Shaw • 29 Julius Axelrod • 28 Jacques Dupuis • 28 Jerry Orbach • 28 Susan Sontag • 26 Reggie White • 26 Sir Angus Ogilvy • 23 P. V. Narasimha Rao • 23 Doug Ault • 19 Renata Tebaldi • 16... 2005 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → Deaths in October 28: Richard Smalley 26: Emil Kyulev 24: José Azcona del Hoyo 24: Rosa Parks 23: Stella Obasanjo 22: Liam Lawlor 22: Shirley Horn 20: Endon Mahmood 17: Ba Jin 10: Milton Obote 7: Charles... June 2006 : ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → Extraordinary renditions. ... December 2006 is the twelfth and final month of the year and will begin in 2 day(s). ... March 2007 is the third month of the year. ... June 2007 is the sixth month of that year. ... The President of France, known officially as the President of the Republic (Président de la République in French), is Frances elected Head of State. ... Nicolas Sarkozy Nicolas Sarkozy (born in Paris January 28, 1955) is a French politician, who is president of the UMP conservative political party. ...

Progress of negotiations

Acquis chapter EC assessment at start Screening started Screening completed Chapter opened Chapter closed Chapter Frozen
1. Free Movement of Goods Further efforts needed 16.1.2006 24.2.2006 - - 11.12.06
2. Freedom of Movement for Workers Very hard to adopt 19.7.2006 11.9.2006 - - -
3. Right of Establishment for companies & Freedom to provide Services Very hard to adopt 21.11.2005 20.12.2005 3.10.2005 - 11.12.06
4. Free Movement of Capital Further efforts needed 25.11.2005 22.12.2005 - - -
5. Public Procurement Totally incompatible with acquis 7.11.2005 28.11.2005 - - -
6. Company Law Considerable efforts needed 21.6.2006 20.7.2006 3.10.2005 - -
7. Intellectual Property Law Further efforts needed 6.2.2006 3.3.2006 - - -
8. Competition Policy Very hard to adopt 8.11.2005 2.12.2005 - - -
9. Financial Services Considerable efforts needed 29.3.2006 3.5.2006 3.10.2005 - 11.12.06
10. Information Society & Media Further efforts needed 12.6.2006 14.7.2006 3.10.2005 - -
11. Agriculture & Rural Development Very hard to adopt 5.12.2005 26.1.2006 - - 11.12.06
12. Food safety, Veterinary & Phytosanitary Policy Very hard to adopt 9.3.2006 28.4.2006 - - -
13. Fisheries Very hard to adopt 24.2.2006 31.3.2006 - - 11.12.06
14. Transport Policy Considerable efforts needed 26.6.2006 28.9.2006 - - 11.12.06
15. Energy Considerable efforts needed 15.5.2006 16.6.2006 - - -
16. Taxation Considerable efforts needed 6.6.2006 12.7.2006 - - -
17. Economic & Monetary Policy Considerable efforts needed 16.2.2006 23.3.2006 - - -
18. Statistics Considerable efforts needed 19.6.2006 18.7.2006 25.06.2007 - -
19. Social Policy & Employment Considerable efforts needed 8.2.2006 22.3.2006 - - -
20. Enterprise & Industrial Policy No major difficulties expected 27.3.2006 5.5.2006 29.03.2007 - -
21. Trans-European Networks Considerable efforts needed 30.6.2006 29.9.2006 - - -
22. Regional Policy & Coordination of Structural Instruments Considerable efforts needed 11.9.2006 10.10.2006 - - -
23. Judiciary & Fundamental Rights Considerable efforts needed 7.9.2006 13.10.2006 - - -
24. Justice, Freedom & Security Considerable efforts needed 23.1.2006 15.2.2006 - - -
25. Science & Research No major difficulties expected 20.10.2005 14.11.2005 12.06.2006 12.06.2006 -
26. Education & Culture Further efforts needed 26.10.2005 16.11.2005 - - -
27. Environment Totally incompatible with acquis 3.4.2006 2.6.2006 - - -
28. Consumer & Health Protection Further efforts needed 8.6.2006 11.7.2006 - - -
29. Customs Union No major difficulties expected 31.1.2006 14.3.2006 - - 11.12.06
30. External Relations No major difficulties expected 10.7.2006 13.9.2006 - - 11.12.06
31. Foreign, Security & Defence Policy Further efforts needed 14.9.2006 6.10.2006 - - -
32. Financial Control Further efforts needed 18.5.2006 30.6.2006 3.10.2005 - -
33. Financial & Budgetary Provisions No major difficulties expected 6.9.2006 4.10.2006 - - -
34. Institutions - - - - - -
35. Other Issues - - - - - -

The French term acquis (or sometimes acquis communautaire) is used in European Union law to refer to the total body of EU law accumulated so far. ...

Turkish membership issues

Posters from the 2005 French European Constitution referendum. The posters at top, with the old logo of Jean-Marie Le Pen's far right, nationalist National Front in the "O", urge French voters to vote No, linking the European Constitution to "Turquie" (Turkey).
Posters from the 2005 French European Constitution referendum. The posters at top, with the old logo of Jean-Marie Le Pen's far right, nationalist [17] National Front in the "O", urge French voters to vote No, linking the European Constitution to "Turquie" (Turkey).

In order to acceed to the EU, Turkey must first successfully complete negotiations with the European Commission on each of the 35 chapters of the EU's acquis and then the member states must unanimously agree to Turkish membership. Public opinion in EU countries generally opposes Turkish membership, though with varying degrees of intensity, although political leaders and politicians of the European Union generally support it. Some countries, notably France and Austria, have discussed putting the decision to a referendum. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1704x2272, 719 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1704x2272, 719 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe ... On 29 May 2005 a referendum was held in France to decide whether the country should ratify the proposed Constitution of the European Union. ... Jean-Marie Le Pen Jean-Marie Le Pen (born June 20, 1928, La Trinité-sur-Mer France) is a French far-right nationalist politician, founder and president of the Front National (National Front) party, and a candidate for the French presidency. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into far right. ... Nationalism is an ideology that creates and sustains a nation as a concept of a common identity for groups of humans. ... The National Front (FN, French: ) is a French Far right, nationalist [1] political party, founded in 1972 by Jean-Marie Le Pen. ... The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, commonly referred to as the European Constitution, is an international treaty intended to create a constitution for the European Union. ...


Turkey’s entry into the EU may have profound consequences on the future direction of the EU. The issues mentioned by some of those objecting to Turkey's EU candidacy can be divided among those inherent to Turkey's situation, those that involve internal issues about human rights, democracy, and related matters, and those concerning Turkey's open external disputes with its neighbours. There is much contention over whether some of these arguments are used by people more as a proxy against peoples true feelings about Turkish membership in the sense that the country is not culturally European and therefore should be denied entry at all.


Economic

Further information: Economy of Turkey
Maslak financial district in Istanbul
Maslak financial district in Istanbul

The CIA classifies Turkey as a developed country.[18] Turkey is a founding member of the OECD since 1961 and is also a member of the G20 industrial nations which brings together the 20 largest economies of the world. Turkeys economy is an industry and traditional economy where agriculture sector that in 2005 still accounted for 30% of employment. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 286 pixelsFull resolution (897 × 321 pixel, file size: 324 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Skyline of Maslak financial district in Istanbul on June 23, 2005 File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 286 pixelsFull resolution (897 × 321 pixel, file size: 324 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Skyline of Maslak financial district in Istanbul on June 23, 2005 File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at... Skyline of Maslak business district at sunset Maslak is one of the main business districts of Istanbul, Turkey, located in the northern European part of the city. ... Istanbul (Turkish: , Greek: , historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see other names) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. ... The CIA Seal The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an American intelligence agency, responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals, and reporting such information to the various branches of the U.S. Government. ... World map indicating Human Development Index (as of 2004). ... The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organization of those developed countries that accept the principles of representative democracy and a free market economy. ... This article is about the G-20 of industrial nations. ...


For most of its republican history, Turkey has adhered to a quasi-statist approach, with strict government controls over private sector participation, foreign trade, and foreign direct investment. However, during the 1980s, Turkey began a series of reforms, initiated by Prime Minister Turgut Özal and designed to shift the economy from a statist, insulated system to a more private-sector, market-based model.[19] Statism (or Etatism) is a term that is used to describe: Specific instances of state intervention in personal, social or economic matters. ... Foreign direct investment (FDI) is defined as a long-term investment by a foreign direct investor in an enterprise resident in an economy other than that in which the foreign direct investor is based. ... Halil Turgut Özal (October 13, 1927–April 17, 1993) was a Turkish political leader, prime minister and the 8th president of Turkey. ... A market economy (also called a free market economy or a free enterprise economy) is an economic system in which the production and distribution of goods and services take place through the mechanism of free markets guided by a free price system. ...


Turkey's main trading partners are the European Union (59% of exports and 52% of imports as of 2005),[20] the United States, Russia and Japan. Turkey has taken advantage of a customs union with the European Union, signed in 1995, to increase its industrial production destined for exports, while at the same time benefiting from EU-origin foreign investment into the country.[21] On 31 December 1995 the customs union between Turkey and the European Union came into effect. ...

Levent financial district in Istanbul
Street level view of Levent financial district in Istanbul
Street level view of Levent financial district in Istanbul

The average economic growth rate between 2002 and 2006 was above 7%,[22] almost four times higher than average growth in the EU.[23] Despite the strong economic gains in 2002-06, which were largely due to renewed investor interest in emerging markets, IMF backing, and tighter fiscal policy, the economy is still burdened by a high current account deficit, high debt and unemployment.[24] Turkey's exports are expected to reach $100 billion in 2007, but imports will rise to $160 billion, mostly due to the country's need of energy resources like natural gas and crude oil.[25] Turkey targets exports of $200 billion in 2013, and a total trade volume of at least $450 billion.[26] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Levent financial district View from Sporcular Park A double decker commuter bus on Taksim Square, running between the European and Asian districts of Istanbul, with a Turkcell advertisement showing Levent financial district and the Bosphorus Bridge, as seen from Nakkaştepe Hill on the Asian side of the Bosphorus Levent... Istanbul (Turkish: , Greek: , historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see other names) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 682 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (873 × 768 pixel, file size: 389 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Street level view of Levent financial district in Istanbul, as seen from the entrance of Metrocity Shopping Mall File history Legend: (cur) = this is the... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 682 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (873 × 768 pixel, file size: 389 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Street level view of Levent financial district in Istanbul, as seen from the entrance of Metrocity Shopping Mall File history Legend: (cur) = this is the... Levent financial district View from Sporcular Park A double decker commuter bus on Taksim Square, running between the European and Asian districts of Istanbul, with a Turkcell advertisement showing Levent financial district and the Bosphorus Bridge, as seen from Nakkaştepe Hill on the Asian side of the Bosphorus Levent... Istanbul (Turkish: , Greek: , historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see other names) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. ...


Turkey's per-capita GDP places it among the upper-middle income countries. In 2006, Eurostat calculated the minimum wage in Turkey as €331, which was larger than the minimum wage in nine European Union member states, namely Bulgaria (€82), Romania (€90), Latvia (€129), Lithuania (€159), Slovakia (€183), Estonia (€192), Poland (€234), Hungary (€247) and the Czech Republic (€261).[27][28] The Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat) is the statistical arm of the European Commission, producing data for the European Union and promoting harmonisation of statistical methods across the member states. ...


The opening of talks regarding the Economic and Monetary Policy acquis chapter of Turkey's accession bid was expected to begin in June 2007, but were stalled by France.[29] The French term acquis (or sometimes acquis communautaire) is used in European Union law to refer to the total body of EU law accumulated so far. ...


Population

Cafés along the historic Pasaport Quay (1877) at the port of İzmir
Cafés along the historic Pasaport Quay (1877) at the port of İzmir
İstiklal Avenue in Istanbul's cosmopolitan Beyoğlu district
İstiklal Avenue in Istanbul's cosmopolitan Beyoğlu district

Statistics show that the birth rate is declining in the entire continent of Europe. Especially in Eastern Europe and Russia population growth is in minus stage. The EU member states already set a goal to solve the impact of the ageing population.[30] Turkey has a young population. This might act as a balance for the increasingly aging populations of the current EU. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 586 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 733 pixel, file size: 430 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The historic Pasaport Quay (1877) at the port of Izmir File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 586 pixelsFull resolution (1000 × 733 pixel, file size: 430 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The historic Pasaport Quay (1877) at the port of Izmir File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that... İzmir, historically Smyrna, is the third most populous city of Turkey and the countrys largest port after İstanbul. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1024 × 768 pixel, file size: 692 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The pedestrian İstiklal Avenue in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul 3 June 2007 File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1024 × 768 pixel, file size: 692 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The pedestrian İstiklal Avenue in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul 3 June 2007 File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as... İstiklal Avenue İstiklal Avenue (İstiklal Caddesi in Turkish), is one of the most famous avenues in Istanbul, Turkey, approximately visited by 3 million people in one day over the course of weekends. ... Istanbul (Turkish: , Greek: , historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see other names) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. ... İstiklâl Avenue and the tram line running between Taksim Square and Tünel Beyoğlu is a district located on the European side of İstanbul, Turkey, separated from the old city (historic peninsula of Constantinople) by the Golden Horn. ...


In Turkey the birth rate is high and the death rate is low. Turkish population increased from 45 million in 1980 to 73 million in 2007.[31] In the face of this problem the Turkish government plan set a goal to lowering rate population growth was failed. This also affects the economic development of Turkey. Between 1980 and 2002, GNP growth rate had actually fallen behind the rate of increase in population. From the point of view of social policy, one of the most important problems a growing population brings is unemployment. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan supports the increase of the Turkish population. He supports the idea that post modern Turkish economy can manage the growth of the population. He stated “I don’t like to see Turkey become an aging population country similar to the European states”.[32]


Immigration

The existence of a large labour surplus in Turkey forces the jobless to look for employment somewhere outside the country. The Merkel government has taken an action slow down the Turkish immigration to Germany.


Geographic

Atakule Tower in Ankara
Atakule Tower in Ankara

87% of Turkey's territory lies in geographical Asia, including Ankara, the Turkish capital. Turkey's membership would mean that the European Union's external borders would reach Middle Eastern nations such as Syria, Iraq and Iran. According to Carl Bildt, Swedish foreign minister, "[The accession of Turkey] would give the EU a decisive role for stability in the eastern part of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, which is clearly in the strategic interest of Europe."[33] Turkey is a strong regional power, with its history and also with its armed forces that is second largest in NATO. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (600x660, 446 KB) Atakule Tower in Ankara http://www. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (600x660, 446 KB) Atakule Tower in Ankara http://www. ... Atakule Tower, Ankara, Turkey Atakule Tower is a 125 m. ... Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the countrys second largest city after Ä°stanbul. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the countrys second largest city after Ä°stanbul. ... This is a list of countries bordering the European Union and its predecessor the European Community both at its current geographical extent and after all previous rounds of enlargement. ...   (born July 15, 1949) is a Swedish politician and diplomat, currently serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of Fredrik Reinfeldt. ... The office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs has existed in Sweden since 1809, its creation was a result of the constitutional Instrument of Government promulgated in the same year. ... Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) (Turkish: Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri (TSK)) consists of the Army, the Navy (including Naval Air and Naval Infantry), and the Air Force of the Republic of Turkey. ...


Foreign relations

Cyprus

Further information: Cyprus dispute

The island of Cyprus is still divided after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, following a coup d'etat by Nikos Sampson against the Cypriot government of Makarios III and fully supported by the Greek military junta of 1967-1974 under its de facto leader Dimitrios Ioannides. Turkey refuses to acknowledge the Republic of Cyprus (an EU member) as the sole authority on the island, and recognises the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the north. Turkey and Turkish Cypriots backed the 2004 Annan Plan for Cyprus aimed at reunification of the island, but was subsequently rejected by Greek Cypriots on the grounds that it did not meet their needs. According to Cypriots, the latest proposal included maintained residence rights for the many Anatolian Turks that were brought to Cyprus after the invasion and their descendants, and Greek-Cypriots who lost their property after the Turkish invasion would be granted only a restricted right of return. Although the outcome received much criticism in the EU as well, the Republic of Cyprus was admitted into the EU a week after the referendum. The Turkish government has refused to officially recognise the state of Cyprus (a current EU member State) until its admittance into the EU.[citation needed] This issue alone is of great diplomatic concern because it paradoxically implies that Turkey does not fully recognise one of the sides it is negotiating with.[attribution needed] One possible solution, apart from an unlikely change of strategy by the Turkish government, would be the introduction of a bureaucratic or diplomatic circumvention or escamotage, such as the EU adopting special negotiation rules for Turkey. The other 'solution', or rather outcome, is that the EU prefers to stick with its existing rules, known as acquis communautaire, and further delay Turkey's accession. Turkey's non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus has led to complications within the Customs Union. Under the customs agreements Turkey already signed as a precondition to start negotiations in 2005, it is obliged to open its ports to Cypriot planes and vessels, but Turkey refuses this and insists it will only do so after the EU proposal to open up direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots and provide €259,000,000 in funds to help them upgrade their infrastructure is fulfilled. Greek Cypriots have subsequently threatened to veto accession talks unless Turkey complies. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Combatants  Turkey  Cyprus Greek military junta The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, referred as the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation by Turkey was a military action against the island nation of Cyprus by Turkey that resulted in the partition of the Republic of Cyprus. ... A coup détat, or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, usually done by a small group that just replaces the top power figures. ... Nikos Sampson (Greek: Νίκος Σαμψών; December 16, 1935 – May 9, 2001) was the de facto dictator of Cyprus installed by the coup détat that overthrew President Makarios in 1974. ... Makarios III (Greek: Μακάριος Γ`; born Mihalis Christodoulou Mouskos (Greek: Μιχαήλ Χριστοδούλου Μούσκος), August 13, 1913 – August 3, 1977) was the archbishop and primate of the autocephalous Cypriot Orthodox Church (1950-1977) and first President of the Republic of Cyprus (1960-1977). ... The Phoenix rising from its flames and the silhouette of the soldier bearing a rifle with fixed bayonet was the emblem of the Junta. ... De facto is a Latin expression that means in fact or in practice. It is commonly used as opposed to de jure (meaning by law) when referring to matters of law or governance or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without... Dimitrios Ioannides (also Dimitris Ioannidis) (March 13, 1923) was a Greek military officer who was involved in the Greek military junta of 1967-1974. ... Anthem Ä°stiklâl Marşı(Turkish) Independence March Capital Nicosia Official languages Turkish Government Representative democratic republic1  -  President Mehmet Ali Talat  -  Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer Sovereignty from Cyprus   -  Proclaimed November 15, 1983   -  Recognition By Turkey   -  Independence from Cyprus   -  Declared November 15, 1983  Area  -  Total 3,355 km² (not ranked) 1... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... The term acquis (or sometimes acquis communautaire), deriving from French, is used in European Union law to refer to the total body of EU law accumulated so far. ... For other uses, see Euro (disambiguation). ...


Greece

Further information: Greco-Turkish relations

Greece has been supportive overall of Turkish membership, with Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis declaring, "Full compliance, full accession" in December 2006.[34] In 2005 the European Commission referred to relations between Turkey and Greece as "continuing to develop positively"[35] while also citing the lack of progress made by Turkey in dropping their claim of casus belli over a dispute about territorial waters boundaries.[35] Relations between Greece and Turkey have been marked by alternating periods of mutual hostility and reconciliation ever since Greece won its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1832. ... Note on Greek names: There is no firm convention for the rendering of Greek personal names into English. ... This article is about the Greek Prime Minister whose term began in 2004. ... Casus belli is a modern Latin language expression meaning the justification for acts of war. ...


Armenia

Turkey maintains economic embargo and border crossing closures against Armenia, due to the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. Since the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1994, Armenia has occupied up to 14% of Azerbaijan, and supports, but does not recognise, Karabakhi independence. Both Turkey and the European Union support Azerbaijan’s claims to Nagorno-Karabakh and view the situation as an occupation of Azeri land.[36] Officially, opening the Armenian border is not a pre-condition for accession. Romano Prodi, then-President of the European Commission, stated his view about the issue as: "Personally, I do not like that the Armenian-Turkish border gate is closed. I do not exclude that the issue of closed borders could be one of the preconditions for Turkey's membership."[37] EU reports state that Turkey should take active measures to resolve this situation before eventual accession.[38] Turkey has insisted that the route of the lucrative Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline bypass Armenian territory. Nagorno-Karabakh (Azerbaijani: Dağlıq Qarabağ or Yuxarı Qarabağ, literally mountainous black garden or upper black garden; Russian: Нагорный Карабах, translit. ... Combatants Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh1 Republic of Armenia 2 CIS mercenaries Republic of Azerbaijan Afghan Mujahideen 3 Chechen Volunteers 4 CIS mercenaries Commanders Samvel Babayan, Hemayag Haroyan, Monte Melkonian, Vazgen Sargsyan, Arkady Ter-Tatevosyan Ä°sgandar Hamidov, Suret Huseynov, Rahim Gaziev, Shamil Basayev Casualties 6,000 dead, 25,000 wounded 17...   (born 9 August 1939) is an Italian politician. ... The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline (sometimes abbreviated as BTC pipeline) transports crude petroleum 1,776 km from the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli oil field in the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. ...


Religious

Bağdat (Baghdad) Avenue
Bağdat (Baghdad) Avenue

If Turkey were to join the EU, it would be the only non-Christian country to have done so (99.8 % of Turkey's population[39] is at least nominally Muslim). Samuel P. Huntington regards Turkey as a split country in his book Clash of Civilizations, which could drift off to Islamism and/or nationalism if European integration fails. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has warned the EU that Turkey's rejection could provoke a "clash of civilizations".[23] In its March 2007 special report on the European Union, The Economist speculated that should Turkey be rebuffed by the EU, the Muslim world would perceive the EU as a "Christian club", not only damaging relations between the West and the Middle East while also alienating the fifteen million Muslims already living in EU member states.[9] Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Cover of The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order The Clash of Civilizations is a theory, proposed by political scientist Samuel P. Huntington, that peoples cultural and religious identities will be the primary source of conflict in the post-Cold War world. ... For the religion of Islam, see Islam. ... Eugène Delacroixs Liberty Leading the People, symbolising French nationalism during the July Revolution 1830. ... This is a chronological list of every government formed by the Prime Ministers of the Republic of Turkey. ... ErdoÄŸan redirects here. ... The Economist is a weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd and edited in London, UK. It has been in continuous publication since September 1843. ...


Effect upon the EU

Pekinel sisters, world-renowned pianist twins
Pekinel sisters, world-renowned pianist twins

Upon joining the EU, Turkey's almost 70 million inhabitants would bestow it the second largest number of MEPs in the European Parliament.[9] Demographic projections indicate Turkey would surpass Germany in number of seats by 2020.[9] In January 2005, the Turkish AKP approached the European People's Party and was admitted as an observer-member. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Pekinel sisters Güher Pekinel and Süher Pekinel, identical twins born on March 29, 1953 in Istanbul, Turkey, are world-renowned Turkish pianists performing mostly in duet. ... A Member of the European Parliament (English abbreviation MEP)[1] is a member of the European Unions directly-elected legislative body, the European Parliament. ... Established 1952, as the Common Assembly President Hans-Gert Pöttering (EPP) Since 16 January 2007 Vice-Presidents 14 Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP) Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP) Gérard Onesta (Greens – EFA) Edward McMillan-Scott (ED) Mario Mauro (EPP) Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez (PES) Luigi Cocilovo (ALDE) Mechtild... The Justice and Development Party (Turkish: or AK Parti, or AKP[1]) is a Turkish political party that describes itself as centre-right and Islamist. ... The European Peoples Party (EPP) is the largest transnational European political party. ...

Leyla Gencer, known as "La Regina" (The Queen) in the opera world, is one of the greatest sopranos

Turkey's membership would also affect future enlargement plans, especially the number of nations seeking EU membership,[9] grounds by which Valéry Giscard d'Estaing has opposed Turkey's admission. d'Estaing has suggested that it would lead to demands for accession by Morocco. Morocco's application is already rejected on the geographic grounds, and Turkey, unlike Morocco, has territory in Europe. French President Nicholas Sarkozy (then a candidate) has stated in January 2007 that "Enlarging Europe with no limit risks destroying European political union, and that I do not accept...I want to say that Europe must give itself borders, that not all countries have a vocation to become members of Europe, beginning with Turkey which has no place inside the European Union."[40] Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Leyla Gencer Leyla Gencer (born October 10, 1928 in Istanbul, Turkey) is a world-renowned Turkish soprano opera singer. ... Valéry Marie René Giscard dEstaing (born 2 February 1926) is a French center-right politician who was President of the French Republic from 1974 until 1981. ... The President of France, known officially as the President of the Republic (Président de la République in French), is Frances elected Head of State. ... Nicolas Sarkozy Nicolas Sarkozy (born in Paris January 28, 1955) is a French politician, who is president of the UMP conservative political party. ...


Article 301

Main article: Article 301

Opinions critical of the strongly nationalistic[attribution needed] line are regularly prosecuted under Article 301 of the Turkish penal code. The EU was especially critical of Article 301 during the September 2005 trial of novelist Orhan Pamuk, with enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn calling the case "regrettable".[41] After the case was dropped three months later, Turkey's Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül indicated[42] that Turkey may abandon or modify Article 301, stating that "there may be need for a new law".[42] In September 2006, the European Parliament called for the abolition of laws, such as Article 301, "which threaten European free speech norms".[43] Article 301 states that "A person who publicly denigrates Turkishness, the Republic or the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, shall be punishable by imprisonment of between six months and three years." and also that "Expressions of thought intended to criticise shall not constitute a crime." This page is a candidate to be copied to Wikisource. ... Article 301 is a controversial article of the Turkish penal code, taking effect on June 1, 2005, and introduced as part of a package of penal-law reform in the process preceding the opening of negotiations for Turkish membership of the European Union (EU), in order to bring Turkey up... Ferit Orhan Pamuk (born on June 7, 1952 in Istanbul) is a Nobel Prize-winning Turkish novelist. ... Abdullah Gül (born October 29, 1950) is the 11th President of the Republic of Turkey, serving in that office since 28 August 2007. ... The Grand National Assembly (Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi in Turkish) is the unicameral parliament of Turkey which carries out legislative functions. ...


Other

Eighteen female MPs joined the Turkish Parliament with the 1935 general elections, in a time when women in many European countries, including France, couldn't even vote. In 1993 Tansu Çiller became the first female Prime Minister of Turkey, more than a decade before Angela Merkel became the first female Chancellor of Germany
Eighteen female MPs joined the Turkish Parliament with the 1935 general elections, in a time when women in many European countries, including France, couldn't even vote. In 1993 Tansu Çiller became the first female Prime Minister of Turkey, more than a decade before Angela Merkel became the first female Chancellor of Germany
  • In its second report on women's role in social, economic and political life in Turkey, the European Parliament emphasised that respecting human rights, including women’s rights, is a condition sine qua non for Turkey's membership of the EU. According to the report, Turkey's legal framework on women's rights "has in general been satisfactory, but its substantive implementation remains flawed".[44]
  • Turkey is one of the two states (with Azerbaijan) among the 46 members of the Council of Europe which has refused to recognise the status of conscientious objectors or give them an alternative to military service.[45]
  • Important groups in the European Parliament have urged Turkey to recognise the Armenian deaths in the Ottoman Empire during World War I as genocide. Turkey acknowledges that many Armenians died, but says Turks died too, and that massacres were committed on both sides as a result of inter-ethnic violence and the wider world war.[46] Turkey, pointing out that recognition of historical events has never been a precondition for other states, considers this an example of the creation of new obstacles by countries opposed to their joining. The European Union Parliament, by a majority of 391 to 96, stated that Turkey should recognise the Armenian genocide before it could join the European Union.[citation needed] This requirement was later dropped on 27 September 2006 by the general assembly of the European Parliament by 429 votes in favour to 71 against, with 125 abstentions.[43]

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Grand National Assembly (Turkish: Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi - TBMM, usually referred to simply as Meclis) is the unicameral parliament of Turkey which carries out legislative functions. ... Tansu Çiller Tansu Penbe Çiller (IPA: (born 9 October 1946) is an economist and politician in Turkey. ... This is a chronological list of every government formed by the Prime Ministers of the Republic of Turkey. ...   (IPA: ) (b. ... Established 1952, as the Common Assembly President Hans-Gert Pöttering (EPP) Since 16 January 2007 Vice-Presidents 14 Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP) Alejo Vidal-Quadras (EPP) Gérard Onesta (Greens – EFA) Edward McMillan-Scott (ED) Mario Mauro (EPP) Miguel Angel Martínez Martínez (PES) Luigi Cocilovo (ALDE) Mechtild... Sine qua non or condicio sine qua non was originally a Latin legal term for without which it could not be (but for). It refers to an indispensable and essential action, condition, or ingredient. ... It has been suggested that Conscientious objection throughout the world be merged into this article or section. ... Armenian Genocide photo. ... is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Public reactions

In the EU

Public opinion in EU countries generally opposes Turkish membership, though with varying degrees of intensity. The Eurobarometer March-May 2006 survey shows that 48% of EU-25 citizens are against Turkey joining the EU, while about 39% are in favour. Citizens from the new member states are more in favour of Turkey joining (44% in favour) than the old EU-15 (38% in favour). At the time of the survey, the country whose population most strongly opposed Turkish membership was Austria (con: 81%), while Romania is most in favour of the accession (pro: 66%). On a wider political scope, the highest support comes from the Turkish Cypriot Community (pro: 67%) (which is not recognised as sovereign state and is de facto not European territory and out of the European institutions). These communities are even more in favour of the accession than the Turkish populace itself (pro: 54%).[47] Eurobarometer is a survey performed by Public Opinion Analysis sector of the European Commission since 1973. ... Turkish Cypriots are those inhabitants of Cyprus who are ethnically Turkish, as opposed to those who are of Greek (the Greek Cypriots) or other ethnicities. ...


In Turkey

The opening of membership talks with the EU in December 2004 was celebrated by Turkey with much fanfare,[23] but the Turkish populace has become increasingly eurosceptic as negotiations are delayed. Based on what it views as lukewarm support for its accession to the EU and alleged double standards in its negotiations (France and Austria have indicated they will hold referendums on Turkey's membership), the Turkish public has become increasingly eurosceptic in recent times. A mid-2006 Eurobarometer survey revealed that 43% of Turkish citizens view the EU positively; just 35% trust the EU, 45% support enlargement and just 29% support an EU constitution.[48] Euroscepticism is scepticism about, or disagreement with, the purposes of the European Union, sometimes coupled with a desire to preserve national sovereignty. ... A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ... Eurobarometer is a survey performed by Public Opinion Analysis sector of the European Commission since 1973. ...


Official point of view

EU member states must unanimously agree to Turkish membership for Turkish accession to be successful. A number of nations could oppose it, notably Austria, which historically served as a bulwark for Christian Europe against the Ottoman Empire, and France, which is fearful of the prospect of another wave of Muslim immigrants (especially given the poor integration of its existing, mainly Arab (i.e. not Turkish), Muslim minority). Look up Bulwark in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... “Ottoman” redirects here. ... Languages Arabic and other minority languages Religions Islam, Christianity, Druzism and Judaism An Arab (Arabic: , arabi) is a member of a complexly defined ethnic group who identifies as such on the basis of one or more of either genealogical, political, or linguistic grounds. ...

  • Former French President Jacques Chirac, a supporter of the accession of Turkey into the EU, had to agree that the amendment to the French constitution authorising the ratification of the proposed European Constitution[49] contains a clause saying that a referendum is required before France can give its approval to Turkey or other future candidates to the European Union (the amendment excludes states that have already signed agreements).[50] Some politicians opposed to the constitutional treaty, such as Philippe de Villiers, argued that the treaty paved the way to Turkish membership, which they deem highly undesirable.
  • Former Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel has said that he may hold a referendum on the issue. Recently, Austrian President Heinz Fischer has strongly suggested a pan-European referendum on the issue, given its great importance for the future of the EU. Recent Greek governments supported Turkish membership hoping that Turkey would soften up its stance in a number of issues of conflict between Turkey and Greece during the process of and after joining the EU. However, opinion polls from the end of December 2004 show that opposition is twice as strong among the Greek public as support.[citation needed]
  • European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that Turkey is not ready to join the EU "tomorrow nor the day after tomorrow", but its membership negotiations should continue. He also called on France and other member states to honour the decision to continue accession talks, describing it as a matter of credibility for the Union.[51]

Developments within Turkey could also freeze accession talks— the rise to power of a hard-line Islamic or nationalist government, or the current government failing to prove its willingness to respect the acquis communautaire. Interference of the sceptical military in civilian rule is detrimental to accession as well. Yet this point is seen favourably by some, as the Turkish army is known to intervene only when political leadership risks plunging the nation into a religious Sharia state. In effect preventing a demodernisation of the state. The President of France, known officially as the President of the Republic (Président de la République in French), is Frances elected Head of State. ... “Chirac” redirects here. ... The current Constitution of France was adopted on October 4, 1958, and has been amended 17 times, most recently on March 28, 2003. ... The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, commonly referred to as the European Constitution, is an international treaty intended to create a constitution for the European Union. ... Philippe de Villiers in Toulouse in April 2007 Philippe de Villiers (born Viscount Philippe Le Jolis de Villiers de Saintignon on March 25, 1949) was the Mouvement pour la France nominee for the French presidential election of 2007. ... The Chancellor of Austria (in German: Bundeskanzler) is the head of government in Austria. ... Wolfgang Schüssel Wolfgang Schüssel (born on June 7, 1945 in Vienna, Austria) is a Christian Democratic Austrian politician. ... Elections Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita, originally a decree of the Concilium Plebis) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ... The Leopoldine Wing of Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna: home to the offices of the Federal President. ... Heinz Fischer (born 9 October 1938) is the federal president of Austria. ... An opinion poll is a survey of opinion from a particular sample. ...


The EU Progress Report from November 9, 2005 stated that is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

"On 29 July 2005, Turkey signed the Additional Protocol adapting the EC Turkey Association Agreement to the accession of 10 new countries on 1 May 2004. At the same time, Turkey issued a declaration stating that signature of the Additional Protocol did not amount to recognition of the Republic of Cyprus. On 21 September, the EU adopted a counter-declaration indicating that Turkey’s declaration was unilateral, did not form part of the Protocol and had no legal effect on Turkey’s obligations under the Protocol. The EU declaration stressed that recognition of all Member States was a necessary component of the accession process. It also underlined the need for supporting the efforts of the Secretary General of the UN to bring about a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem which would contribute to peace, stability and harmonious relations in the region."[52]

On 2006-11-29, the BBC reported that the European Commission members had decided to suspend parts of the talks with Turkey regarding accession, following the failure to reach agreement over the various issue surrounding the occupation of Cyprus.[53] Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 333rd day of the year (334th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...


See also

Foreign relations of the European Union Foreign relations of Austria Foreign relations of Belgium Foreign relations of Cyprus Foreign relations of the Czech Republic Foreign relations of Denmark Foreign relations of Estonia Foreign relations of Finland Foreign relations of France Foreign relations of Germany Foreign relations of Greece Foreign relations... Top-level strategic relations between the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of France started during the reigns of Süleyman the Magnificent and the Valois king François I in the first quarter of the 16th century, at a time when the latter was in critical need of alliance and... Turkish-German relations have their beginnings in the times of the Ottoman Empire and have culminated in the development of strong bonds with many façades that include economic, military, cultural and social relations. ... Relations between Greece and Turkey have been marked by alternating periods of mutual hostility and reconciliation ever since Greece won its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1832. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... On 31 December 1995 the customs union between Turkey and the European Union came into effect. ... The Mediterranean Union (French: Union méditerranéenne) is a proposed community of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. ...

References

  1. ^ EurActiv: EU-Turkey Relations
  2. ^ "Ottoman Empire." Britannica Student Encyclopedia. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 19 Apr. 2007 http://www.britannica.com/ebi/article-206012
  3. ^ a b Turkish Embassy.org - Republic of Turkey. Turkey and EU. Retrieved on 2007-07-04.
  4. ^ Council of Europe (2006-10-27). Turkey and the Council of Europe. Council of Europe. Retrieved on 2006-10-30.
  5. ^ NATO. Greece and Turkey accede to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. NATO. Retrieved on 2006-10-30.
  6. ^ Turkish Embassy.org - Republic of Turkey. Turkish Embassy, Turkey and EU. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  7. ^ Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in London. About Turkey and the EU. Retrieved on 2007-07-04.
  8. ^ "Turkey's Ruling Party Marks Its 3rd Anniversary. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
  9. ^ a b c d e Economist, The. "The ins and outs: The EU's most effective foreign-policy instrument has been enlargement. But how far can it go?", The Economist, 2007-03-17. Retrieved on 2007-07-04. 
  10. ^ Turkey targets 2013 for EU legal compliance euobserver.com
  11. ^ declines to endorse 2013 date for Turkey's EU entry euobserver.com
  12. ^ Interview with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on BBC Sunday AM (PDF). Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  13. ^ Turkish Embassy, Turkey and EU
  14. ^ EU resumes Turkey accession talks, BBC, 2007-03-29, accessed on 2007-03-29
  15. ^ EU-Turkey to re-start entry talks, EUPolitix.com, 2007-03-29, accessed on 2007-03-29
  16. ^ Turkish Entry Into Europe Slowed by Sarkozy Move, New York Times, 2007-06-25, accessed on 2007-06-25
  17. ^ [1]
  18. ^ CIA World Factbook
  19. ^ Nas, Tevfik F. (1992). Economics and Politics of Turkish Liberalization. Lehigh University Press. ISBN 0-9342-2319-X. 
  20. ^ Turkish Statistical Institute (2006-11-30). Foreign Trade Statistics as of October 2006. Turkish Statistical Institute. Retrieved on 2006-12-11.
  21. ^ Bartolomiej Kaminski; Francis Ng (2006-05-01). Turkey's evolving trade integration into Pan-European markets. World Bank. Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
  22. ^ European Commission--Turkey-Economic Profile. Retrieved on 2007-06-06.
  23. ^ a b c Economist, The. "The ever lengthening road", The Economist, 2006-12-07. Retrieved on 2007-07-04. 
  24. ^ CIA World Factbook - Turkey. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  25. ^ [Reuters: Turkey sees 2007 imports at $160 billion]
  26. ^ [Reuters: Turkey sees 2007 imports at $160 billion]
  27. ^ Eurostat: Minimum Wages 2006
  28. ^ CNN Türk: Türkiye'de asgari ücret yüksek çıktı
  29. ^ "Turkey unhappy at EU talks delay", BBC News, 2007-06-26. Retrieved on 2007-07-03. 
  30. ^ http://www.eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:52006DC0571:EN:NOT
  31. ^ TUIK official report
  32. ^ star televisionu 2007 seçimler
  33. ^ Ekman, Ivar. "Top Swedish official backs Turkey for EU", International Herald Tribune, 2006-12-11. Retrieved on 2007-07-03. 
  34. ^ Panagopoulis, A.. "Karamanlis Hails EU's 'Historic' Decision to Admit Bulgaria, Romania", Greek News, 2006-12-18. Retrieved on 2007-04-13. 
  35. ^ a b European Commission (2005-08-11). Turkey - 2005 Progress Report. Press release. Retrieved on 2007-07-06.
  36. ^ Bulletin EU 7/8-2002: Common foreign and security policy (5/39), European Commission on 27 March 2003
  37. ^ Prodi Urges Turkey to Reopen Armenian Border. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  38. ^ Enlargement issues - pg.8 (PDF). Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  39. ^ European Commission. Turkey - Political profile. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  40. ^ Turkey has no place in EU: Sarkozy. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  41. ^ Dymond, Jonny. "EU blasts Turkish author's trial", BBC News, 2005-09-13. Retrieved on 2007-07-06. 
  42. ^ a b BBC News staff. "Turkey insult law 'may be dumped'", BBC News, 2005-12-28. Retrieved on 2007-07-06. 
  43. ^ a b "New EU warning on Turkey reforms", BBC News, 2006-09-27. Retrieved on 2007-07-08. 
  44. ^ Women's rights in Turkey: MEPs say improvements still needed. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  45. ^ Leading Turkish writer faces jail after incurring wrath of military. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  46. ^ "Q&A: Armenian 'genocide'", BBC News, 2006-10-12. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. 
  47. ^ European Commission: Special Eurobarometer 255 - Attitudes towards EU Enlargement., July 2006, p. 72 (PDF). Retrieved on 2006-09-05.
  48. ^ New Eurobarometer poll results show a drop in Turkish support for the EU. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  49. ^ LOI constitutionnelle n° 2005-204 du 1er mars 2005 modifiant le titre XV de la Constitution (French). Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  50. ^ Deal struck over Turkey-EU talks. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  51. ^ Zaman, Javno.hr - 23/07/07; DPA, Reuters - 22/07/07.
  52. ^ Final Progress Report for Turkey (PDF). Retrieved on 2007-04-13.
  53. ^ EU urged to freeze Turkey talks. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.

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Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 88th day of the year (89th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 88th day of the year (89th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 176th day of the year (177th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Turkish Statistical Institute (Turkish: Devlet Istatistik Enstitusu) is the Turkish government bureau commissioned with producing statistics to help better understand Turkey, its population, resources, economy, society, and culture. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 11 is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (362nd in leap years). ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 157th day of the year (158th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Economist is a weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd and edited in London, UK. It has been in continuous publication since September 1843. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The International Herald Tribune is a widely read English language international newspaper. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 11 is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Berlaymont, the Commissions seat The European Commission (formally the Commission of the European Communities) is the executive branch of the European Union. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 223rd day of the year (224th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For information on Wikipedia press releases, see Wikipedia:Press releases. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 86th day of the year (87th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikinews has related news:
EU sets date for membership talks with Turkey
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Recommendation of the European Commission on Turkey’s progress towards accession
  • Official Turkey Government site for EU accession
  • Failure of the talks 'would betray Turks and Europe'
  • Time to talk to Turkey
  • The case for Turkey
  • We need Turkey
  • We must not turn our back on our best Muslim ally
  • "Middle East Needs Turkey's EU Membership", Ayse Hakim, JTW
  • "U.S. Diplomat: Turkey's EU Aspirations Can Inspire Muslims", Vince Crawley, The Washington File
  • Turkish illegal restrictive measures against Cyprus and European Union shipping
  • Human Rights Watch on Turkey
  • Turkishpolitix.com - the gateway to Turkish affairs (with up-to-date dossier on EU-Turkey relations)
  • Regime change, European-style, is a measure of our civilisation
  • Turkey and the European Union
  • EU report on Issues arising from Turkey's membership perspective
  • "Turkey-EU Relations: If Turkey Says No!"
  • Foreign Affairs - Turkey's Dreams of Accession
  • Greece's Shifting Position on Turkish Accession to the EU Before and After Helsinki (1999)
  • Europe's reasons and Turkey's Accession (ARI)
  • ZEI EU-Turkey-Monitor - Newsletter to monitor accession negotiations
  • European Press Review: E.U. Snubs Turkey (Views about Turkish EU membership from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Athens, Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Hamburg, Turin, and Zurich)
  • "Turkey Apprehensive Over EU Crises", by Jonathan Gorvett, Aljazeera
  • http://www.soros.org/resources/articles_publications/publications/turkey_2004901/english.pdf
  • 20 Myths and Facts about Enlargement (Official EU website)
  • The Political Criteria of Copenhagen and their application to Turkey
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Candidates Croatia (status) · The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (status) · Turkey (status) EU members and candidates
Potential candidates Albania (status) · Bosnia and Herzegovina (status) · Montenegro (status) · Serbia (status)

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