Regaining Momentum: Turkey during the Spanish EU Presidency

Foreing Policy Analysis Series ; 12 / Discussion paper

Turkey has long aspired to be a member of the European Union (EU) and since its first steps in this direction the country has progressed far in its quest to accede: Turkey opened accession talks with the EU in 2005 and since set in motion the necessary reform process for membership. The prospect of Turkish accession is, however, controversial and Turkey has long been one of the most divisive countries to reach candidacy status. On the one hand, it has the potential to bring enormous benefits to the EU, particularly in the realm of foreign policy and through its dynamic economy. On the other, some member states fear Turkey joining, citing its population size as a factor - if not religious and cultural difference.

As a beneficiary of the accession process itself, Spain has long supported EU enlargement. Its
attitude to Turkey is no exception. Seeing the advantages of Turkey joining for Spain, Europe and Turkey itself, political parties of all colours are advocates of Turkish accession. Now holding the rotating presidency of the European Union, Spain is in a position to cement Turkey’s future role within the Union. Indeed, as one of its key supporters, Turkey hopes Spain will accelerate the accession process during the Spanish Presidency.

This Discussion Paper was prepared for a seminar on EU-Turkey relations during the Spanish EU Presidency, held in Barcelona during Spain’s six-month term in the first half of 2010. As such, it aims to contribute to the debate on Turkey’s accession process, particularly during the Spanish presidency. It divides the subject of Turkish-EU relations into four chapters: EU-Turkey relations, reforms in Turkey, Turkey’s foreign policy in the Middle East and Caucasus and bilateral relations under the Presidency. This will enable the following questions to be addressed: Turkey’s progress towards accession; the role it can play in its neighbourhood and beyond and how Spain can help integrate Turkey into the EU.