A privileged partnership as an alternative to membership of the EU for Turkey

Abstract

This dissertation attempts to assess critically Privileged Partnership as an alternative through analyzing the process of Turkish membership and current political atmosphere both within the EU and Turkey. It evaluates the obstacles that paralyzed this process and the attitudes of European Union and Turkey concerning the membership talks. In addition to negotiations between Turkey and The EU Institutions, the main argument of this dissertation suggests that, Turkey can fly to maneuver the barriers to benefit from its assets as a pivotal state with an important geo-strategic location in the Middle East and Central Asia. Turkey is also witnessing a foreign policy reorientation within the changing international system resulting from its rising regional status. These changes are likely to qffect the negotiating talks in any possible manner and make many future scenarios and strategies applicable.