European Union regional policies and structural funds: An evolution for Turkey in process of harmony

ABSTRACT The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the present measures taken by the European Union(EU) for reducing the differences existing between the member states and the various regions in EU, together with the mechanisms and the procedures of the structural funds, (European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, European Agricultural Fund-Guidance Section) which are the major financial instruments. The further enlargement of the EU to include the countries of Central and Eastern Europe(CEC), Malta, Cyprus and Turkey has become critical for the future of the EU and it's project of European integration. The enlargement of the EU will expand the size of the Union and increase its economic diversity. Regional policies and the structural funds are the main instruments to cope with these challenges for the EU and they were needed reforms. As a response these challenges, in Agenda 2000, the Commission put forward proposals for enlargement and a new financial framework for the period 2000-2006. Unlike previous reforms and enlargements, the net contributor countries are unwilling to make an increased contribution to the EU budget and some of them are pressing for reducing their net payments. There are also oppositions from the cohesion countries concerned at the implications of enlargement and losing their funds. Beside the analysis of EU side, Turkey's case is also studied. This part of the dissertation covers the present and past relations of parties, and economic and social situation of Turkey in general and its regions. The policies, financial instruments and major projects concerning the acceleration of the development of the less developed regions are examined. The GNP per head of Turkish regions are compared with the related EU figures to indicate the disparities between two sides. Finally in case of Turkey's full membership to EU, Turkey's possible benefits from the measures taken by EU to ensure the economic and social cohesion in the Community in general, and Turkey's possible contributions to the EU budget, are discussed.