Academia.eduAcademia.edu

AB-TÜRKİYE İLİŞKİLERİNİ NE YAPMALI?

2014, GPoT Policy Brief no.39

Abstract

The corruption investigation, which was made public on 17 December 2013, raised concerns about abuses of the separation of power, restrictions of the fundamental rights and freedoms and deviation from the rule of law. Despite the encouraging progress over the last few years on the Cyprus issue, which has been one of the most troublesome matters standing in the way for Turkey's EU-accession, Turkey-EU relations were thought to be interrupted by the current domestic political developments. This paper, however, claims that the internal turmoil that Turkey faces does not seem to affect its negotiations with the EU. Conversely, it is considered that the challenges regarding the rule of law may be overcome by continued negotiations with the EU. Yet, Turkey, in its implementations, should strongly avoid any attempts that damage democracy and human rights, which may worsen its relations with the EU.