Anatomy of the alternating standards and the ?special? statute of candidacy in EU-Turkey relations: Disunity in diversity

The adventure of Turkey?s European Union (EU) membership has been lingering for almost half a century. The relationship that began with association progressed until eligibility for membership, and after 42 years long process eventually, finally, Turkey?s position has reached to negotiations for membership. The onset of the negotiations was not approaching Turkey to happy end, but on the contrary it was the formation of more challenges considering the frozen and unprogressed negotiations.Turkey?s membership issue is among one of the most hotly debated topics in International Relations, not only regionally but also globally. As an attribution to the global importance of this topic, this master thesis scrutinizes Turkey?s position in the process of organizing and expanding the EU. This thesis, which evaluates the accordance and the disharmony of Turkey regarding EU widening dynamics through a comparative angle with some member states, tries to draw a picture of Turkey that is not positioned in the classical form of membership during the process.Economic and political criteria, being European, cultural and historical approaches, absorption of EU etc. and many other conditions play a crucial role for Turkey?s membership process in a holistic perspective, which also differentiates Turkey from other member states. In this thesis the differentiated position of Turkey?s membership and its reasons are tried to be analyzed.