Turkey's membership in the European Union?: past, present & future

Turkey's interest to be part of the political and economic union of Europe dates back to the 1950s, when the idea of European Union (EU) was born. Almost forty years after the first agreement between the two parties, Turkey is still knocking on the EU' s door to become a full member. The EU has stepped into the twenty-first century with the most comprehensive enlargement of its history in process. The process of enlargement of the EU constitutes the most important step in Turkey's relations with the European Union. In order to become a full member in the European Union, the applicant state has to fulfill the EU's Copenhagen Criteria, which in the case of Turkey requires major improvements in its economic and political conditions. However, even if Turkey could meet the Copenhagen Criteria, its full membership would probably not be granted due to Turkey's significant cultural and religious differences from the rest of the member states. Turkey's full membership in the European Union would offer enormous advantages for both parties. Turkey's strategic position, which is at the crossroads of Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East, has great significance for the European Union. EU membership for Turkey, on the other hand, would mean an end to its identity problem of where it belongs - in Europe or Asia. Turkey's official candidacy status constitutes a turning point for Turkey's historic dream of being part of Europe economically, politically and socially. Turkey's EU candidacy leaves Turkey important domestic and external challenges. The ability of Turkey to overcome these challenges will determine the prospects for full membership of Turkey in the European Union. Given the changes required for Turkey to meet the Copenhagen Criteria, and the length of time accession negotiations would take once these criteria were met, it IS unlikely Turkey will be admitted to the European Union before 2020.