EU-Turkey cooperation in migration matters: a game changer in a multi-layered relationship?

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

Abstract

EU-Turkey bilateral relations are characterized by complexity, mutual ambivalence and a three-layered structure: a 50 year-long association relationship based on a customs union.a Turkish candidate status since 1999 (practically frozen since December 2006).a more recent compartmentalization of policy fields such as migration, aviation and energy cooperation. This latter development has two explanations: to serve the EU’s short- and mid-term interests and to streamline the approach to Turkey with the other accession candidates. Under the renewed consensus on enlargement since 2006, difficult administrative and judicial issues will be addressed at an early stage of the negotiations and the more systematic use of benchmarks will be applied, with concrete criteria for the negotiation chapters. While since 2015 new dynamics in EU-Turkey relations appear to develop for all other layers, with the political events of 2016 in Turkey the delicate balance in the multi-layered relationship is threatened and both sides are returning to old habits of reciprocal mistrust and ambivalence.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBilateral Relations in the Mediterranean
Subtitle of host publicationProspects for Migration Issues
EditorsFrancesca Ippolito, Gianluca Borzoni, Federico Casolari
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
Chapter9
Pages184-213
Number of pages30
ISBN (Electronic)9781786432254
ISBN (Print)978-17-8643-224-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2020

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