| Publication |
2009.
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| Summary/Abstract |
Following the end of the Cold War, Turkey has been rebalancing its relations with the Middle East. The author considers how Turkey's unique historic relations with Iran, Iraq and its other neighbours might be of assistance to the European Union.
It also explores the connection between the accession negotiations and Turkish internal politics, with special reference to the Kurds
The EU Commission's 2007 progress report on Turkey's accession process is not exactly bedside reading. It ran to some 80 pages. Anyone who read it, though, would have noted that only two pages were devoted to foreign, security and defence policy. This reflects, of course, the nature of the accession process. It is, however, misleading because Turkey's influence and policies in these areas are of great importance to the members of the EU. And their perceptions of these are a critical factor in determining European attitude to Turkey's accession prospects.
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