EU Enlargement and Turkey

1. EU Enlargement and Turkey Koki Mochizuki Zhang Linlu

2. Regional Relations Economy Politics Human Rights Contents

3. Geographic Position • Cyprus Problem Regional Relations

4. A transcontinental Eurasian country Asian Turkey: 97% European Turkey: 3% Geographic Position

5. Republic of Cyprus • The Republic of Cyprus has de jure sovereignty over the land of Cyprus. • It joined the European Union in 2004. • de jure: (from Latin) according to the law Cyprus Problem

6. Cyprus is de facto partitioned into two parts: The Republic of Cyprus Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus • Turkey has refused to acknowledge the Republic of Cyprus • Turkish –controlled The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognized only by Turkey. • de facto: (from Latin) existing as a fact although it may not be legally accepted as existing Cyprus Problem

7. Economy

8. Turkish Economy Economic integration with EU The EU’s share of Turkey’s total trade :41.7% in 2010 40.8% in 2011 The customs union between Turkey and the EU came into effect in 1996. • Turkey has the 17th largest GDP (current US$)in 2012. • The Turkish economy grew by 9.2% in 2010, 8.5% in 2011. Economy

9. EU 2012 Country Report on Turkey Chapter 17: Economic and monetary policy • Overall, Turkey’s level of preparedness is advanced. • There has been progress on economic and monetary policy. • Alignment with the acquis remains incomplete. Economy

10. Politics Democracy Rule of Law

11. A parliamentary representative democracy • The president has a largely ceremonial role • Executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister and the Council of Minister Political Structure

12. Positive steps in working for a new Constitution lack of consultation in the legislative process • Progress in public administration in the legislative form • Ombudsman institution established still no progress on administrative decentralization • Kurdish Problem still prevails (significant increase in PKK terrorist attacks) Democracy

13. Judiciary • Progress through the third judicial reform package • Concerns… • Length of pre-trial detention • Independence, impartiality and efficiency of the system • Participation rate of women • Law Enforcement • Downward trend in torture & ill-treatment • Overcrowding of prisons • Fighting Corruption • Transparency of political financing • Lack of investigation on corruption cases Rule of Law

14. Human Rights Issues Freedom to Expression Freedom of Thought & Religion Freedom of Association & Assembly Women & Children’s Rights Minority Rights

15. Some progress • Restrictions on the media to report on criminal investigations were eased • Seizure of written work before publication was prohibited • Still a increase in violation of freedom of expression • Website bans Freedom of Expression

16. Secularism… Freedom of religion is generally respected • Non-Muslim groups still face problems (property rights, access to justice, ability to obtain work, etc…) Freedom of Thought & Religion

17. Cases of violence and use excessive use of force towards demonstrations that had not received prior authorization • The Constitutional right is sometimes interpreted in an overly-restrictive manner Freedom of Association & Assembly

18. Started as a peaceful demonstration • Use of disproportionate force caused the conflict to escalate Case Study: #OccupyGezi

19. Progress in legal terms • The Law on the Protection of Family and Prevention of Violence against Women Needs to be implemented consistently across the nation • Participation by women in employment, politics & policy making • Treatment of juveniles Women & Children’s Rights

20. Representatives of minority groups have been invited to the parliament to express their views on the Constitution • Full protection on the culture and fundamental rights still do not meet European standards Minority Rights

21. Kurds… people of Iranian decent • Speaks a different language (Indo-European) • Approx. 16~25% of the population • PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) • Considered a terrorist group by the EU • Constant terrorist attacks • Roboski Massacre (Uludere Killings) Kurdish Problem

22. Should Turkey be accepted by the EU? • What should Turkey focus on in order to be part of the EU? Discussion Questions

23. Picture 1. Accessed July 4th. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Turkish_EU_accession_logo2.png • Picture 2. Accessed July 4th. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EU_and_Turkey_Locator_Map.png • Picture 3. Accessed July 4th. http://www.worldtribune.com/2013/03/27/turkey-warns-cyprus-against-leveraging-energy-assets/ • Picture 4. Access July 4th. http://www.nationalturk.com/en/turkey-ties-with-eu-can-be-suspended-if-cyprus-assumes-eu-presidency-13058 • Accession of Turkey to the European Union. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accession_of_Turkey_to_the_European_Union • EU Enlargement. http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/turkey/index_en.htm • World Databank. http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?order=wbapi_data_value_2012+wbapi_data_value+wbapi_data_value-last&sort=asc • EU 2012 Country Report on Turkey. http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2012/package/tr_rapport_2012_en.pdf • 2012 Conclusion document on Turkey’s accession. http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2012/package/tr_conclusions_2012_en.pdf Reference