The influences of Turkey?s minority policies on its relations with the European Union

Ethnic and religious minorities has become more substantial political actors under the roof of the European Union than they are within the borders of nation states which consist of the Union. On the one hand, the EU seems pleased to see that not only strong civil society but also minorities which strive for enjoying their political and cultural right in maximum level has drastically constrained the sovereignty of the nation-states. To be sure, both stands of the EU reinforces the position of minorities from two directions.No doubt, one of the tenets of the EU conditionality is respect for ethnic, religious and cultural minorities and operability of the institutions that are set up to preserve their rights. In this context, minorities has been one of the most vital issues that Turkey should show considerable interest.In sum, in this study, the development of the concept of minority and their place in juridicial sources are to be unfolded. Secondly, study aims at investigating Turkey-EU relations under the light of Turkey?s current policies regarding its minorities.