Flexible integration in the European Union and its study on European Security and defence policy from Turkey's perspective

The process of integration of European Union, which is the mostsuccessful integrationist movement in the world, could be well described with theterm of ?Flexible Integration?.The Flexible Integration is carrying out the continuity of integration withinthe scope of Union; while providing closer cooperation opportunity under the EUumbrella for the countries who have common will on the way for a deeperintegration in the field determined by themselves; and providing for the countrieswho did not or could not participate in those cooperation fields, the possibilityjoining the integrated countries at the further stages, when she fulfills the criteria.One of the most significant stages of EU?s political integration will be theentry into force of the ?Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe?. With theinclusion of ?Enhanced Cooperation? and ?Permanent Structured Cooperation?into the Constitutional Treaty, it is now possible for the willing countries to moveahead for the further integration.Turkey is confronted with a dilemma to support the framing of EU securityand defence structure, which is being formed beyond her initiative, in order to beinvolved in it; and to keep NATO?s role as a first choice in Europe?s defence.Flexible integration provides the possibility for Turkey to be involved inEuropean security and defence on which Turkey feels concern about exclusion.On the other hand, flexible integration could make Turkey, who is first classcountry in security and defence fields during 50 years, confronted with a result tobe a second, even third class country in EU, where Cyprus and Malta are fullmembers.