Turkey's long wait

The following graph illustrates the special case in which Turkey finds itself in terms of how long it has stood at the EU's door compared to other current applicants and recent members.

The graph is taken from my forthcoming book Turkey and the European Union: Christian and Secular Images of Islam, NY: Palgrave Macmillan. I will be posting selections from the book on this blog. In the book, I try to shed light on the special challenges that Turkey's EU bid faces by looking at history and issues of collective identity.

Turkey's entry bid scores mixed points in EU debate | Reuters

The Council's statement on enlargement and the accession process is now out. You can access and download the original document here. Reuters summarizes the gist of the statement, which expresses 'deep regret' that Turkey is not living up to the so-called Additional Protocol (which would have Turkey opens its ports to ships flying the Cypriot flag), 'welcomes' the recent constitutional reform as an 'important step in the right direction,' but notes that 'further progress is needed.' The Council

encourages Turkey to further improve the observance of fundamental rights and freedoms in law and in practice.

The statement also suggests that the opening up of the competition chapter can be achieved early next year.

Turkey's entry bid scores mixed points in EU debate | Reuters