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Turkey's EU Moment of Truth

December 15, 2004

Turkey's long wait could come to an end in December when the EU meets to decide on its membership application. The major events and issues of Turkey's push for accession during 2004 is catalogued in this special dossier.

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Prime Minister Erdogan says Turkey is ready for the EUImage: AP

After a long and winding road through political and cultural obstacles, Turkey faces its moment of truth at a European Union summit beginning December 16 which will see the 25 state bloc decide on the issue of the Muslim nation’s accession to the EU.

Turkey is confident that the December summit will see the EU agree on starting membership negotiations without delay while observers believe that the European political reality could mean Turkey will be given extra conditions in its bid to join the European Union and could face at least another decade of waiting for its final accession.

Some EU governments, backed by a significant part of European public opinion, are worried by the prospect of a country of 70 million entering the union, citing cultural and religious difference as well as job worries.

But Turkey remains focused despite these new hindrances. After pushing for accession for so long, the EU summit could be the beginning of the end of the long wait. Here DW-WORLD catalogues Turkey’s quest for membership in 2004 in a series of articles.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

What Brussels Really Thinks About Turkey

In public, discussions by journalists and politicians over Turkey's possible membership in the EU are matter of fact and objective. However, remarks made away from the mics and cameras can have a very different tone.
December 15, 2004

Verheugen: No More Obstacles to Talks With Turkey

After meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyp Erdogan Thursday morning, EU Expansion Commissioner Günther Verheugen is ready to recommend Europe start membership negotiation with Turkey.
September 23, 2004

Turkey Gets Green Light From Brussels

The European Commission has approved starting EU accession negotiations with Turkey. According to a report published on Wednesday, Brussels backed beginning talks with Ankara but warned a long road lies ahead.
October 6, 2004

Erdogan: "We Have Done our Homework"

This week, the European Commission will publish a report expected to give Turkey the go ahead to start accession talks. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, the Turkish Premier was convinced this would take place.
October 3, 2004

Capturing Turkish Culture's Changing Face

Berlin is currently playing host to "Simdi Now", Germany's largest ever festival of Turkish culture featuring over 50 events ranging from classical music to video installations and experimental club sounds.
September 2, 2004

Personal Views of Turkey

What do you think of, when you think about Turkey? DW-WORLD asked several Germans with links to the country to offer their own views of the country.
December 14, 2004

Turkey Membership Splits EU

Now that the European Commission has given its nod to Ankara, EU leaders are set to make a final decision on starting accession talks at a December summit. DW-WORLD looks at how many of the big players see the issue.
October 6, 2004

Turkey Debate Reduces EU's Enlargement Appetite

As Turkey awaits Brussels' decision to open concrete talks on its membership bid, experts fear that the divisive debate on Ankara's entry has already thrown a pall on the bloc's enlargement euphoria.
October 2, 2004

"A Change in Mentality is Needed"

The EU Commission is to publish a key report on October 6 on whether Ankara is ready to open talks on joining the EU. In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Turkish PM Tayyip Erdogan said the country was on track.
September 18, 2004

Waiting for EU

Many members of the Turkish-German community aren't exactly sure what Turkey's membership in the EU would mean for them personally. But that doesn't keep them from hoping it will eventually happen.
September 16, 2004

Turkish Premier Slams German Opposition

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out in a Sunday newspaper interview at Germany's conservative opposition for its drive to torpedo Turkey's EU membership bid, accusing it of populism.
December 12, 2004

European Greens Support Turkish EU Bid

During a three-day parliamentary group meeting in Istanbul, Europe's Greens have come out in support for Turkey's EU bid and criticized proposed national referendums on its membership.
October 20, 2004
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