EU’S FOREIGN POLICY TOWARDS THE BALKANS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF TURKEY’S MEMBERSHIP OF EU FOR THE REGION

Abstract

It is well known that there is a strong historical link between Turkey and the Balkans for centuries. Ottoman past of Turkey has created political and social constructions in the region for many perspectives which are geographical, economic, and social. From the disintegration of Yugoslavia to nowadays, it can easily say that these aspects accumulated at one common value which is named EU membership process. Because of all states in the region declared their prospects of EU membership and some of them reached their aim. With the disintegration of Yugoslavia, all the balances in the Balkans were altered. After many wars and miserable events, Balkans passed a new era with the interest of EU membership process. As Balkans, Turkey aims to be member of EU for gaining more democratic values. Turkey supported NATO, US, and EU policies since 1990 and part took in the peace-making and peace-keeping operations by sending troops into the region. From the point of western oriented view, Turkey has ready for security issues. After long times, the Turkish policy on the Balkans is different from the past decade. This time is not only with military force, but as the most dynamically growing economy of the region. The European Union can offer accession perspectives that are still very attractive for the Balkan countries and beside this, Turkey’s possibilities is also to be attractive for the region. In the light of information mentioned upper, I aim to analyze the Turkey’s foreign policy towards Balkans in the concept of EU membership process in my paper. I will mainly aim that compare Turkey’s capabilities and EU’s policies in the region. In the last decade Turkey started to define itself as a pivotal regional state. Firstly, I will describe Turkish political priorities from the perspective of pivotal state and then, I will claim that Turkey’s geographical position and its dynamic economy give her a distinguished position in the future of the Balkans. From the perspective of EU accession process, it will be opportunity for both parts in the Balkans. Actually, if the relations between the European Union and Turkey develop, it will be beneficial for the all parts in the region.