Review of European Union-Turkey progress reports with regards to political criteria (2005-2014)

Progress Reports of the European Union occupy an important place from the viewpoint of all candidate countries, including Turkey. These reports show the change and development in those candidate countries and evaluates the candidate country's compliance with EU and its proximity to membership. The aim of this study is to examine the status of Turkey's in terms of political criteria in EU Progress Reports and to evaluate the context of different variables In accordance with this purpose, EU Progress Reports on Turkey from 2005 to 2014 are reviewed and contents of the texts published were analysed. Document analysis technique is used and data are analysed and interpreted via Nvivo 12 program. Findings are obtained by examining the following three themes: democracy and the rule of law, human rights and protection on minorities, and lastly, justice, freedom and security. Furthermore, National Programs and Legal Regulations topics are also discussed. The study identified that the Progress Reports mostly criticized on topics of fighting against corruption, anti-discrimination and violence to women, and Turkey has not reached the enough level in this decennium. Keywords: Europe-Turkey relations, Ankara Agreement, Customs Union, Progress Reports