Sign in Subscribe
European Union

Turkey's EU Accession Talks Hit Roadblock: Ankara Slams New Conditions

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Brussels on December 10, where he pressed his case for a start to EU entry talks without unfair conditions, has highlighted the growing rift between the two sides. The issue of Turkey's membership in the European Union has been a contentious one, with the number of Euro-sceptics doubting that the EU could absorb a large Muslim country increasing rapidly in recent weeks. The European Union's new term, which requires Turkey to recognize the Republic of Cyprus and commit to "good neighborly relations" and a "resolution of remaining border disputes," has dismayed Ankara. The Turkish government insists it will not recognize Cyprus, which joined the EU in May, despite Cypriot threats to veto accession negotiations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of Turkish leaders having doubts about the advisability of their country becoming a member of the European Union has increased in recent weeks.
  • The European Union's new term requires Turkey to recognize the Republic of Cyprus and commit to "good neighborly relations" and a "resolution of remaining border disputes."
  • The Turkish government insists it will not recognize Cyprus, which joined the EU in May, despite Cypriot threats to veto accession negotiations.
  • Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his defiance on the issue, stating that any conditions added to Turkey's application for EU membership would be "unacceptable."
  • Erdogan has reiterated that he would reject any offer of a "privileged partnership" with the EU instead of full membership.
  • Erdogan has three conditions for the EU leaders' meeting on December 16-17: offer Turkey full membership, a clear starting date for negotiations, and no further criteria for entry.
  • The EU's draft document, leaked on November 29, proposes that Turkey will have to commit to good neighborly relations and a resolution of outstanding border disputes, implying tacit recognition of Cyprus.

Statistics:

  • 49% of citizens in the 15 old EU states favor further enlargement of the bloc, while 40% are opposed (EU Executive, Eurobarometre survey, published on December 10).
  • 62% of Austrians, 57% of Germans, 54% in Luxembourg, 52% in Finland, and 51% in France oppose further enlargement of the Union (EU Executive, Eurobarometre survey, published on December 10).
  • There are 10 new states that joined the EU in May, with 72% of citizens in favor of their membership (EU Executive, Eurobarometre survey, published on December 10).
  • The draft document proposes that if Turkey failed to make progress on human rights and democratic reforms during the negotiating period, then the talks could be suspended by the European Commission or at the request of at least nine EU member-states.

Sources:

  • The European Union's draft document, leaked on November 29.
  • The EU Executive, Eurobarometre survey, published on December 10.
  • The Financial Times, "Turkey's EU bid hits a snag over Cyprus," November 29, 2004.
  • The New York Times, "Turkey's Erdogan Speaks on EU Bid," December 7, 2004.
  • Reuters, "EU sets stage for showdown with Turkey," December 10, 2004.

Read more