The political dimension of Turkey-European Union relations and effects on full membership

KILINÇ, Uğur. The Political Dimension of Turkey-EU Relations and Effects on Full Membership, Doctorate Thesis, Ankara, 2008.The aim of the thesis is to ascertain the reasons of the paradox of that the political dimension of Turkey-EU relations is both the most important ?advantage? and the most important ?barrier? for full membership and to analyse how this paradox can be solved.The scope of the thesis involves the political dimension of the EU since its birth till today and the history of the political dimension of Turkey-EU relations on one hand. On the other hand, the identification of what kind of effects of the disputes between Turkey and Greece, Cyprus case, minorities, democracy, human rights and the relations of Turkey with third countries on the ?full membership? will be and the proposals regarding how to overcome the issues which effects the Turkey?s efforts of full membership in a negative way are also the other topics mentioned in this thesis.The thesis has been written by utilizing the methods of political history.The conclusions reached by the thesis are as the following. The EU, disturbed by the unipolar system leaded by USA in the post-Cold War era and having the desire of ?multipolar? world order, needs the Turkey?s political and military power in order to become a ?block-superpower? in terms of politics and military, to supply its own security by its own, to undertake a more active role in the international crisis areas such as the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Balkans. The policies followed by the EU and Turkey over the issues which are not existing between them are in great accordance. But the political problems arising between two sides have made negative impacts to Turkey?s full membership process. This case is due to that the EU?s not giving the final decision about accepting Turkey as a full member to EU although it is aware of the Turkey?s political, military and economic importance, using some sort of political issues as an instrument in order to postpone the process of Turkey?s membership, the EU?s being a slave of the policies of some member countries which have disputes with Turkey, some significant EU circles? seeing Turkey as ?the other? rather than a partner, the EU?s desire to get Turkey anchored into European system by making Turkey ?a second class EU member? having limited rights or ?a priviliged associate member?, so that utilizing Turkey?s political, military and economic facilities without bearing the economical cost of Turkey?s full membership. And also the excessive compromising policy implemented by Turkey without being aware its power which is capable of to change the world balances is encouraging the EU in this direction. There is not seeming a possibility like being a full member for Turkey without giving up its righteous claims and indispensable rights at the policies towards the EU implemented by Turkey, the Cyprus issue, the disputes over the Eagean Sea, the so-called genocide allegation and the creation of new minorities. For the change of this equation, Turkey must first change its current political approach towards the EU. By that, the EU will have to change its unfair Turkey policy and a healty relation between two sides can be built based upon equality, equity and partnership. The conclusion of a relation such as this will be a real integration in the context of full membership.