Turkey’s EU integration perspectives: implications for the South Caucasus

Abstract

This study is trying to analyze the issues associated with the Republic of Turkey’s integration in the European Union (EU) and how those issues influence the process of the integration. Turkey’s accession would be analyzed from the beginning of negotiations between Turkey and the European Union. One of the main parts of this study will analyze the Copenhagen Criteria, before, during and after Turkey’s accession in the European Union and how its accession will influence the South Caucasian region. However, before the accession, Turkey as a country needs to overcome challenges that are facing now. First, this study will briefly analyze negotiations with the two actors, Turkey and EU; what challenges Turkey was facing in the beginning of the negotiations and what challenges are being faced now. The other part would be devoted to find out the external and internal factors that Turkey is trying to solve and its “zero-problems with neighbors” policy. The fact that Turkey’s accession into the European Union lasted this long and the fact that it has closed borders with Armenia makes this topic interesting to do research on it. The European Union and South Caucasus region are interested in this process because it will change the dynamic of the region. It is worth to mention that the United States of America and Russian Federation have a huge impact on this process. For understanding this topic, document analysis would be needed to analyze official documents. Document analysis is considered as a objective, systematic and quantitative description, which will aid in explaining concepts that will be needed for this study.