However, with the decision to not to open eight chapters of the accession negotiations and not to close any negotiating chapter due to the Cyprus conflict, and unilateral vetoes used by the French and the Cypriots to block the opening of more chapters, the accession framework became hollow and indeterminate. [...] The disillusionment with the West was also coupled on the part of Turkey with the firm belief that the West, and in particular Europe, was in decline and in no shape to act in a uniform fashion in its wider neighbourhood. [...] Furthermore, there is also considerable doubt as to whether these incentives are in fact demanded by the Turkish government, given the loss of enthusiasm for a modernized customs union after the failure of TTIP talks and the years-long reluctance of the government to amend the few remaining provisions of the criminal code as required by the EU for visa facilitation talks. [...] In the short run, and concerning the Eastern Med, the EU should acknowledge the fact that Turkey’s one of the main targets in the region is to be a recognised player in East Med energy and not to feel “surrounded” by the members of the East-Med Gas forum (Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan and Palestine). [...] On the other hand, the EU depends on Turkey’s cooperation in the refugee issue and the recent events demonstrate the increasing need for the EU to co-operate with Turkey to ensure security and stability in its immediate neighbourhood.
Authors
- Pages
- 4
- Published in
- Turkey
