Abstract:

EU-Turkey relations are currently in an impasse where each side tries to survive the integration process in different ways. Although the optimism of the last decade has clearly gone, there are still hopes for new measures to speed up the alignment of Turkey to the EU. In particular, differentiated integration offers new flexible arrangements for non-member and candidate states to opt-in to selected EU acquis without engaging in wider uniformity and threatening their national sovereignty. EU-Turkey relations on transport are a relatively successful alignment case during these turbulent times. The settled pattern of selective participation in transport policy results from the alternative approach taken by the parties based on transport programs, funding mechanisms and created institutional bodies. This study analyzes this selective participation pattern in the case of transport as an example of differentiated integration and explores the reasons behind Turkey’s decision to opt-in. As selective participation leads to selective implementation, the alignment decisions of Turkish officials strongly depend on domestic political preferences and the number of supporting non-state actors. This study therefore also investigates the domestic and external factors that led Turkey to selective participation and implementation. The results of the case provide an effective example for other policy areas that need motivation on alignment.

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