Turkey and EU Integration

What has been achieved regarding Turkey’s efforts at integration to the EU and what obstacles remain to it achieving full membership? Like other developing countries, Turkey displays visible signs of advancement with rapid increases in living standards, greater mobility and the rapid spread of technology. Much of its legislation and political, economic and administrative systems are also now aligned to the EU and this process has undoubtedly contributed to democratization and modernization. At the same time problems in politics and society persist; the Gezi protests, limitations of freedom of expression, frequent occupational accidents in the mining and construction sectors, honour killings and political upheaval which has manifested itself most starkly with the recent coup attempt all call attention to the challenges facing a country in the process of change.

Introduction Chapter 1: Association Relationship with Full Membership Perspective: the Ongoing Significance of the Ankara Agreement Chapter 2: The Customs Union as the Basis of EU Association: An Appropriate Device for Accession? Chapter 3: Turkey as a Candidate to Join the EU: Turning Point in Turkey-EU Relations and its Aftermath Chapter 4: Transformation of Turkish Democracy Through EU Conditionality: Achievements and Limits Chapter 5: Cyprus Issue: A Permanent Obstacle to Turkey’s Accession? Chapter 6: The EU’s Integration Capacity: An Escape Clause for the EU or the Actual Impediment to Turkey’s Accession? Chapter 7: Readmission and Visa Liberalization: Two Sides of the Same Coin? Conclusion