Is EU Accession Of Turkey A Bogus?

Turkey's struggle as a candidate country to join the European Union ("EU"), has gained stream during the last years. Many reforms have been realized especially in areas underlined in the Regular Report on Turkey's progress towards accession pertaining to the year 2003 ("Regular Report 2003"). However, although these legislative reforms are highly appreciated by the EU, full execution of these reforms in practice and perfection of the Copenhagen Criteria are expected before the EU makes its historical decision as to whether or not to declare a date for opening of accession negotiations. This date, which is expected to be discussed in the European Council Meeting to be held in December 2004, a few months after the announcement of the 2004 Regular Report on Turkey's Progress Towards Accession on 6 October 2004 ("Regular Report 2004").

Turkey's first official contact with the EU, then called the European Economic Community, was the execution of the partnership treaty, officially referred to as the Ankara Agreement in 1963. In 1987, Turkey made its first submission for membership, however a concrete response was not given. Then in 1996, Turkey once again declared its desire to become a part of the enlargement plan, however, this was rejected. Finally, in 1998, Turkey declared that its (final) goal was to become a member of the EU and hence submitted its strategy document to the EU. The candidacy was approved in 1999 emphasizing that Turkey's future membership is subject to the same terms and conditions required for all candidate countries.

The EU, in its Regular Report 2003, pointed out Turkey's deficiencies in certain areas, and stated that these deficiencies should be carefully evaluated with regards to the perfection of the Copenhagen Criteria. The Copenhagen Criteria are, inter alia; stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities, the existence of a functioning market economy as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the EU, the ability to take on the obligations of the membership and the conditions for its integration through the adjustment of its administrative structures.

Based on the foregoing, issues like the abolition of State Security Courts (Devlet G¸venlik Mahkemeleri), execution of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (the "ECHR"), closure of political parties, broadcasting and education in languages...