Performance of Turkey in fulfilling the economic and political criteria for the EU membership: A comparative analysis

PERFORMANCE OF TURKEY IN FULFILLING THEECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CRITERIA FOR THE EUMEMBERSHIP: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSISLeman ERDALSUMMARYThe European Union is an economic and political integration that is establishedinitially to re-build the Europe after economical and social destruction of Europe during theSecond World War and to reduce further wars. The increasing cooperation and integrationefforts during the enlargement process have contributed to the democratisation of thecontinent.In this study, the enlargement process of the European Union is studied. Havingexplained the establishment of the EU, its institutions and Turkey-EU relations in an historicalperspective, the performances of an old member, Greece, a new member, Poland and acandidate Turkey in fulfilling the economic and political criteria set in the Copenhagensummit during the fifth enlargement are compared and analysed. The other purpose of thestudy is to investigate the reasons why the EU is hesitant for Turkey?s membership while thecountries with similar conditions are already accepted as members.Greece, despite the political and economical instability at the time of accession, joinedthe EU by using the advantages of her historical, cultural and geographical proximity toEurope as well by the EU?s encouraging support. Similarly, an old communist country,Poland is now a member again with more or less similar reasons. However, the fact thatTurkey with similar economical conditions is still not a member supports the claim that theEU does not seem to treat Turkey on an equal base.Joining the EU has always been associated with modernisation and development forTurkey. With her geographical economical advantages, Turkey is also expected to contributeto the European Union. Having fulfilled many of the requirements by the recent outstandingreforms, it is expected that Turkey will join the EU in near future.