Local level organization of central public administration's harmonization process with the EU: Case study of Governorship of Antalya

During the Establishment Act of the Turkish Ministry for EU Affairs major emphasis was placed on the central organization while excluding local structures to conduct the nationwide domestic practices. Yet, EU membership process, its gains and arrangement responsibilities of Turkey are not only a matter of the central institutions, but of organizations operating at local levels. Although several programs and EU grant projects have been carried out locally during the harmonization process, the organizational and institutional aspects of these activities have not been studied much to date. Thus, in this study we examined, for the first time, the "local level public organizations" about Turkey–EU relations. Examination of local public organizations, including a case study (Antalya province) we found that despite many inadequacies and ongoing uncertainty, the programs and multilateral EU grant projects carried out by the Ministry of the EU Affairs and by the EU offices in many governorates since 2010, respectively, made a significant contribution to strengthen local organizations in terms of administrative and human resources. In addition, they created a basis for the organization on EU affairs in provinces. The EU grant projects carried out at local level are in fact a part of the participation and reform process of Turkey, as they are particularly designed to support reform in priority areas for EU membership. Based on our findings, we suggest that further steps should be taken at local levels –in provinces– towards institutionalization of EU affairs by emphasizing the importance of local level ownership of the ongoing efforts at the central level. Strong legal mechanisms should be developed for the local organizations to ensure their progress. In addition, we highly recommended that any further tolerance for uncertainties should be avoided to strengthen the local capacity for EU affairs. Because, EU process should be undertaken as a process that can be completed with society's effective participation and contribution at the local level, rather than a matter of foreign affairs to be accomplished with issuing new legislations. Institutionalization of EU offices in governorates as responsible centers for the coordination of EU affairs in the provinces can be strengthened within a complete legal framework. Alternatively, representation offices of the Ministry of EU Affairs can be put into operation in provinces or in regional bases. Should this be accomplished, it will not only ensure the sustainability of the impact and changes created at the local level, but also will accelerate the achievement of the objectives in the accession process.