Abstract:

Political will on Turkey's part does not suffice for full-membership of the EU. Political will on the EU's part is also essential for the completion of this process. The maintenance of "political stability" required for the realization of the reforms stipulated in the National Program is only one side of the coin. The other side of the coin is that the intense debates in Europe on the question "Where will Europe end?" do not inspire the same level of interest in Turkish public opinion. However, whether Turkey will be given the "opportunity" to become a full-member of the EU or face the "threat" of permanent exclusion is contingent upon the EU's decision about its own future. It is apparent that in addition to the conservatives, a growing number of social democrats in Europe are gradually adopting a common position against Turkey. And this is exactly the case in the German example.