Analysis of refugee problem impact on Turkey-EU relations and solution suggestions in the context of new security threats

Within the context of the new security threats, this study investigates the effects of the issues of refugees on Turkey-EU relations. While doing so, the effects of the refugee crisis between 2011 and 2019 on both Turkey and the EU are also dealt with in a detailed way. The new security threats have emerged in the post-Cold War era, and paved the way for questioning the conventional security concept. The new security threats constitute the theoretical framework of this study as the term also involves migration movements that have recently been perceived as one of the biggest threats for nation-states. After discussing the refugee issue from the standpoint of societal security and securitization of the Copenhagen School, analyses are made on the present and future of the Turkey-EU relations. Although Turkey was thought to lose its importance for European countries after the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Turkey has become an important player again in the region where the refugee crises arose. This thesis study is especially based on the hypothesis that in the context of the refugee issue Turkey is fairly significant security actor for EU, but they don't be treated Turkey in this manner befitting its importance. Within this scope, answers are sought to these questions: What is Turkey's role on EU refugee policy? How does Turkey's buffer state role between the refugees and EU countries affect Turkey's EU membership and EU's security? What is EU's perception of security, and does the refugee problem affect Turkey-EU relations? This study employs qualitative research design, and interviewed with the authorities of significant institutions who are thought to influence Turkey's refugee policies and Turkey-EU relations through semi-structured questions. These personal interviews were interpreted in a cause-effect relationship using descriptive analysis method. The overall findings reveal that Turkey is an important player in EU's security along with determining EU's refugee policies. Despite this, the refugee problem is not expected to have a huge impact on Turkey's EU membership. This new situation only significantly affected the course of bilateral relations. In this way, it is safe to say that Turkey-EU relations were stable before the refugee crisis, yet the collaboration made between these two parties on this crisis after 2015 revived these relations. Despite the intense relations on the refugee problem, Turkey's actions taken on the drilling in the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea (the Blue Homeland) and the agreement made with Libya on this issue has recently deteriorated Turkey-EU relations. Because the EU's security perception leads to the securitization of migration issues, to make an intensive cooperation with Turkey has become inevitable. It is expected to that this new situation generate only a facilitating effect on Turkey's EU membership, mainly highlighted the importance of the Copenhagen Criteria in this regard. The EU is not treating Turkey in a way befitting its importance; however, Turkey should be aware of its strength in the international diplomacy and should also consider alternation diplomatic relation models.