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This article reports that Turkey officially began membership talks with the European Union (EU) on October 4, 2005 after Austria dropped a demand that Ankara be offered an option short of full membership. In Germany, Die Tageszeitung of September 30, 2005 suggested that Austria's position was the result of a wish to keep Muslim countries out of the EU while lobbying for the admission of Croatia as an outpost of the Christian West. But France's Le Monde of October 6, 2005 wondered whether the price paid for Turkey's accession to discussions had been too high.

The grant of economic and technical aid by the EU for regional development during the pre-accession process and its link to novel forms of territorial governance for administering them for eventual EU membership is increasingly challenging Turkey's traditional state centered politics and regional policy. Based on the concept of Europeanization this paper examines the extent and direction of change in Turkey's regional policy to date under the influence of the EU. The paper suggests that there is a major 'misfit' between the EU and Turkey's regional policy approaches and argues that certain domestic features of Turkey's domestic polity render Turkey's adaptation to the EU's multi-level governance model very problematic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grant of economic and technical aid by the EU for regional development during the pre-accession process and its link to novel forms of territorial governance for administering them for eventual EU membership is increasingly challenging Turkey's traditional state centered politics and regional policy. Based on the concept of Europeanization this paper examines the extent and direction of change in Turkey's regional policy to date under the influence of the EU. The paper suggests that there is a major 'misfit' between the EU and Turkey's regional policy approaches and argues that certain domestic features of Turkey's domestic polity render Turkey's adaptation to the EU's multi-level governance model very problematic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU, which is defined by its own officials as 'a superpower under construction', will have to deal with a series of economic, political-institutional, cultural-social and geopolitical challenges due to enlargement. The author of this paper argues that given the inevitable problems that lie ahead of the EU and Turkey's many xx, Turkey stands no chance of joining the EU in the next 20 years no matter what it does. The paper further explores the ideological-psychological, ethnic, political-institutional, geopolitical, historical and economic dimensions of the policies that can be pursued by the EU towards Turkey within this time span. In light of these arguments the author suggests that for harmonious relations with the EU, Turkey should cease to aim for full membership and manage its relations through a framework other than that of the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates whether the European Union (EU) membership and/or preparation for membership creates new opportunities for better networking, collaboration, and communication among women's activist groups. The case of Turkey and Greece are taken up to examine how women's activist groups use the process of EU negotiations to construct stronger networks for improving gender-related policies and discourse in their countries. In this context, the limitations of the EU are also noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to counter concerns that Turkey is too big, too poor, and too Muslim to join the European Union, Turkish officials routinely stress the strategic benefits Turkish membership would provide the EU. While this argument may resonate in Washington and certain corners of Brussels, it is having little impact on the wider European public. By analyzing Turkey's strategic rationale, the debate within the EU about its geographic and cultural limits, and the growing importance of European public opinion, this paper calls for a new public diplomacy that complements Turkey's strategic arguments by stressing the concrete economic and political benefits of Turkish accession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors argue that the EU's decision about Turkey's readiness for the full accession negotiations at the end of 2004 will shape the future course of Turkish democracy and modernity as well as the formation of European identity. This paper's general argument is that the principle of fairness and objectivity should be the basis of the EU's decision about Turkey, rather than the culturalist and essentialist discourses of Europe which privilege religion and geography over the universal norms of democracy and liberal economy. The principle of fairness implies that the decision about Turkey should be universal and impartial. The norms of universality and impartiality indicate that the decision about Turkey would be fair as long as it is not framed by a reference to Turkey's Muslim population or its geography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decision of the European Council in December 2004 on whether to start accession negotiations with Turkey will mark a historic turning point in Turkey-EU relations. Both sides are now standing at a crossroads contemplating whether to take advantage of the probably benefits of Turkey's membership or bear the costs of its exclusion from the Union. This paper will explore the potential implications of integrating Turkey into the EU by charting out a multi-level, multi-disciplinary cost/benefit analysis for both sides. In this context, it will try to sort out whether enlarging to include Turkey is really something indispensable for both or either side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decision of the European Council in December 2004 on whether to start accession negotiations with Turkey will mark a historic turning point in Turkey-EU relations. Both sides are now standing at a crossroads contemplating whether to take advantage of the probably benefits of Turkey's membership or bear the costs of its exclusion from the Union. This paper will explore the potential implications of integrating Turkey into the EU by charting out a multi-level, multi-disciplinary cost/benefit analysis for both sides. In this context, it will try to sort out whether enlarging to include Turkey is really something indispensable for both or either side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turkey has been adopting a more European perspective on a number of issues for some time; it should come as no surprise that its foreign policy will become more closely aligned with that of Paris and Berlin over the course of accession negotiations. The Atlantic divide has proven not to be a transient phenomenon and this makes it very difficult for Turkey to maintain close relations with the US and pursue EU membership on complementary tracks. The EU emerges as a civilian superpower with a wide range of soft power tools to exert its influence on global affairs; it also offers a relatively benign image of the West. The US, on the other hand, continues to lose prestige and credibility on the world scene despite its overwhelming military might. This paper argues that Turkey stands to gain more from aligning with the European position in world affairs and it is timely for Turkey to redefine its "strategic partnership" with the US. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Looks at the performance of the Turkish lira bonds with regards to the European Union accession efforts of Turkey. Reasons for the growth in the Turkish lira market according to syndicate official Klaus Hansen; Countries that opposed the entry of Turkey into the European Union; Views of European Investment Bank senior capital markets officer Henry von Blumenthal on the interest of institutional investors in the currency.

Features some issues published in Europe. Statement from a German news paper that Turkey is not Europe and never will be Europe; Motive of Britain in pushing for Turkey's membership according to "Die Presse"; Reaction of Great Britain to the beheading of a British hostage in Iraq.

The article presents an interview with author and Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk who discusses various topics including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pamuk's novel "A Strangeness in My Mind." Turkey's response to a terrorist attack on October 10, 2015 is examined, along with Pamuk's portrayal of various changes to Istanbul, Turkey in his book. Turkey's potential membership in the European Union is assessed, along with the popularity of the Turkish beverage boza.

Looks at the debt performance of Turkey as of June 2005. Effect of the result of the European Union (EU) referendums regarding the membership of France and the Netherlands on the EU aspirations of Turkey; Background on the country's debt management passed by the parliament; Forecast on the advantage of privatisation of industries in Turkey.