A constructive approach to European Union and Turkey relations: Visa liberation process

Turkey's relations with the European Union started in the 1950s and became official with the Ankara Agreement signed in 1963. The relations signed in 2011 between the European Union and Turkey continuing as up-and-downs since the day it is signed, came to a standstill point in 2016, due to the issues emerging based on the Readmission Agreement comprising the Syrian refugees fleeing from Syrian Civil War caused by The Arab Spring and in addition due to the issues based on the Visa Liberalisation process signed in 2013. Five topics emerged as problems in the Visa Liberalization process (agreement with Europol, fight against corruption, protection of personal data, amendment to the terrorism law and readmission agreement). This research, on the other hand, evaluates the Visa Liberalization process, which caused a blockage in Turkey-EU relations, based on the identity perception/formation/process revealed by the constructivist theory, one of the international relations theories. The research reveals that the main reason for the cooperation and blockages between Turkey and the European Union is the identity differences or similarities between the parties. To convey the argument in question, the aim of the research and other relevant information will be given in detail in the first part, and the theoretical literature will be presented in the second part. In the third part, the historical course of Turkey-European Union relations will be conveyed to the reader in the theoretical framework presented in the second part. In the fourth chapter, based on the theoretical framework presented, the five headings that emerged as a problem in the Visa Liberalization Process will be analysed and the result will be conveyed to the reader in the fifth chapter.