Connections between separatist political parties and separatist terrorist groups; an overview

This study overviews the role of the European Union in desecuritizing the conflicts related to separatism. As a term, desecuritization means the removal of an issue from security agenda to the bargaining political sphere. In analyzing this desecuritizing impact of the EU, the study lays a great emphasis on separatist political parties, which have connections with separatist terrorist organizations. Two countries with different backgrounds are selected to discuss this research question, which are the United Kingdom (UK) and Turkey.The EU seems to have played a catalyst role in desecuritization of Northern Ireland problem by facilitating the peace process in Northern Ireland. On the other hand, it seems to have a limited effect on desecuritization of the problem in Turkey, which presents itself as political reforms for the EU membership.As examples from the UK and Turkey indicate, political parties can assist terrorist groups with their organizational capabilities. The related non-proscription of these parties may also likely to contribute to the terrorist violence in the country. Studying this relationship and the level of potential terrorist violence are beyond the scope and means of this study. Instead, it only overviews desecuritizing effect of the EU in a descriptive manner in these two selected countries.