Abstract:

Alternative models of differentiated integration with the European Union (EU) discussed in the context of Brexit might be inspiring for European and Turkish stakeholders who are concerned with overcoming the deepest crisis in bilateral relations of recent history. The forthcoming customs union modernization negotiations are likely to create an opportunity to bring Turkey-EU relations to a stronger mode of external differentiated integration as in cases of Norway or Switzerland and fix problems aroused by the current structure of the customs union. This paper examines Switzerland’s case as an alternative model of integration between Turkey and the EU which can be considered during the upgrade process. The paper compares and contrasts the Swiss model with the existing customs union and the European Commission’s (EC) two upgrade scenarios for the customs union which were proposed in December 2016. It lays out potential advantages and disadvantages of a Swiss model for Turkish-EU relations in the coming future and argues that Switzerland’s “free trade agreement plus” model provides a better alternative than the current form of the customs union and the EC’s scenarios. 

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