Schrödinger’s Candidate: Türkiye’s Awkward Situation Within the Enlargement Debate

Date

2024-01-01

Author

Şenyuva, Özgehan
Baydarol, Ali

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Türkiye stands in a particular and even awkward position regarding debate on the Future of Europe and especially the issue of enlargement. The country has been waiting for membership longer than any other applicant States, with negotiations currently on a de facto hold and any prospects of accession in near future extremely slim. However, Türkiye also remains an important partner and ally for Europe as well as being a member of the Customs Union and holding a critically strategic position regarding irregular migration based on the 2016 European Union (EU)-Türkiye Statement. With the question of EU enlargement towards the Western Balkans and Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, Türkiye’s positions and actions are important for two interconnected reasons. Firstly, Türkiye is very active in these regions and carries great historic, cultural and economic weight. Thus, Türkiye’s position in these States’ membership aspirations carries certain value. Secondly, Türkiye must calculate and elaborate on the effects of such an enlargement process vis-à-vis its own membership bid, notwithstanding that the country’s role in the region is seen by some EU Member States as being competitive. Hence, countering Türkiye’s potential influence in this context is listed among reasons for the EU to proceed with offering a membership perspective for the Western Balkans States plus Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia. Enlargement must therefore factor in Türkiye’s position.

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https://hdl.handle.net/11511/109057

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Department of International Relations, Book / Book chapter