The Turkish candidacy to the European Union

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This candidacy has been considered for more than forty years, yet it only became concrete during the recent years, when the UE defined their accession criteria, and the planned negotiations starting in autumn 2005. Turkey’s attitude remained ambiguous for a long time : even though their choice of westernization is ancient and long-lasting, their efforts to get closer to the EU were limited and equivocal. Turkey seemed to want to participate only at its own conditions. It is only at the turn of the century that Turkey has changed its behaviour and endeavoured to adjust to the conditions settled, especially concerning institutions and human rights. The country is now mobilized, but it has still a long way to go, and obstacles – the weight of their army, of religion, cultural distance, economic disparities, Cyprus – are far from being all overcome. – Summary AFRI-2005