Turkey and the EU: A Survey on Turkish MPs’ EU Vision

Even though Turkey’s dream for being a member of European unio‎n (EU) dates back to late 1950s, it can be said that this process has gained its momentum since the governing period of Justice and Development Party, which is shortly called AK party or AKP in Turkish. When compared with earlier periods, the enormous accomplishments during the AK party’s rule are recognized by domestic and European authorities alike. In the parallel of gigantic steps towards the European membership, which is now a real possibility for Turkey, there have been increasing debates about this process. While some European authorities generate policies over Cyprus issue against Turkey’s membership, some others mainly lead by German Christian Democrats propose a privileged status rather than full membership. Turkish authorities do not stay silent over these arguments, and probably first time the Turkish foreign minister can articulate that “should they (the EU) propose anything short of full membership, or any new conditions, we will walk away. an‎d this time it will be for good” (The Economist 2005 30-31) After October third, Even though Mr. Abdullah Gül, who is the foreign minister of the AK party govenrment, persistently emphasizes that there is no such a concept so-called “privileged partnership” in the framework document, (Milliyet, 2005) the prime minister of France puts forward that this option is actually one of the possible alternatives.