The Evaluation of the process of adaptation to European Union under the light of the principles of Atatürk

ABSTRACTTHE EVALUATION OF THE PROCESS OF ADAPTATION TO EUROPEANUNION UNDER THE LIGHT OF THE PRINCIPLES OF ATATÜRKÇOBAN, ErcanM.A. Thesis, Department of History6XSHUYLVRU3URI'U+LNPHW<ÕOGÕUÕP&(/.$1July 2005, 207 pagesThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the structural changes Turkey hasrealized and has been asked to realize in the process of adaptation to European Unionunder the light of the Principles of Atatürk, which define the main characteristics ofthe Turkish Republic was based on the destroyed foundations of Ottoman Empire,which was broken up by political, economic and military attack of WesternCountries, today almost all of which are the members of European Union.In this study, first of all, under what conditions and how the Principles ofAtatürk were formed was explained, and then, the attributes of these principles weretaken up. Then, by evaluating them as a whole, the main issues which weresuggested in relation with the west was determined. Later on, what kind of processTurkey has undergone beginning with the emergence of the idea of European Unionuntil its present position was mentioned, and also the branches of European Unionand the structure and administration of these branches were taken up. Then, thesignificant incidents in the relation Of Turkey and European Union that havehappened from the beginning to today were studied.After basic concepts were discussed, the issues which are regarded byEuropean Union as prerequisites for the membership of Turkey were evaluated fromthe angles of the basic features of Atatürk Principles and all the problems on thismatter were studied in detail.As a result, it was pointed out that, when Turkey fulfill the structuralchanges which has been asked to realize in the process of adaptation to EuropeanUnion, the values which are defined by the Principles of Atatürk and which is stillconsidered in the constitution as basic qualities of the government will be seriouslyaffected and that all profits will be lost forever.Key words: The Principles of Atatürk, European Union, Membership process