Turkey`s international migration policy under the EU membership perspective

ABSTRACTMaster ThesisTurkey`s International Migration Policy under the EU Membership PerspectiveBaşak SOMUNCUDokuz Eylül UniversityInstitute of Social SciencesEuropean Union Master ProgramImmigration is a process that significantly affect economic, social,political and cultural structures of both sending and receiving coutries. For thisrespect, all the countries develop immigration policies to some degree. In theEuropean Union, in addition to the national immigration policies, theCommunity level immigration policy has also been developed.When Turkey`s immigration policy is examined, it is clear that, since theearly years of the Republic, immigration of Turkish descent and culture hadbeen encouraged. Moreover, in line with the geographical reservation to theGeneva Convention, asylum claims of only European origin was accepted. Onthe other side, the beginning of the emigration to Europe in the late 1950?sresulted in the appearance of state policy, called ?labor export?. Turkey?simmigration policy developed mostly dependent on European immigrationpolicies, did not develop effective measures, the measures which were developedcould not be efficiently implemented.Since 1980?s, the patterns of the immigration, oriented to Turkey, beganto change. The country has faced asylum and irregular immigration at a greatscale, and regular immigration consists of relatively large amount of the foreignimmigrants. During the same time, both national and Community levelimmigration policies have become tight in Europe. On the other hand, in theframework of Turkey`s alignment to the acquis, these changes can have animpact of turning Turkey into the last station for immigration oriented toEurope. Turkey has adapted some of the changes and have promised to adaptthe rest. The country is becoming dependent on the EU policies concerningimmigration.Key Words: 1) Immigration, 2) International Migration policy, 3) EuropeanUnion immigration policy, 4) Turkey?s international migration policy.