Turkey's place in European identity: Effects of Turkish image in Europe on the relationship between European Union and Turkey

This thesis evaluates the relations between European Union and Turkey by making use of the cultural perspective, with a specific focus on the Turkish image and perception of Turkey in Europe. Definition of the borders of Europe and European identity is meaningful to understand the process of European integration. Integration process is analysed by emphasizing European identity and public opinion since EU is a union of nations of Europe rather than just an economic and political intergovernmental union. Within this framework, answers to questions whether or not Turkey is a part of Europe and how Turkish image affects on Turkey's EU accession have been evaluated. Finally,the historical and cultural causes of the problems of EU&Turkey relations, such as citizens of the member states that are against the membership of Turkey by eighty percent, are aimed to be explained in the context of Turkey in European identity.