The Revitalization of the Turkish-European Union Relations: Old Wine in New Bottles?

Executive Summary

On December 14, 2015, the European Union member states unanimously agreed to open Chapter 17, the chapter on Economic and Financial Matters, with Turkey as part of the accession negotiations. The opening of Chapter 17 followed a new wave of revitalization in Turkey’s accession negotiations with the EU, accompanied by renewed commitments from both sides toward their shared future.

The launch of accession negotiations in October 2005 represented an important step in advancing Turkish-EU relations; however, within a few years, the process stalled and enthusiasm on both sides declined. Therefore, the revitalization of the accession process in 2015 was both unexpected and significant.

This paper aims to understand the new opening in Turkish-EU relations and assess the political and international context in which this revitalization emerged. The key question addressed is whether there has been a genuine transformation in Turkish-EU relations, resulting in an increased possibility of Turkey’s accession to the European Union, or whether this development represents merely “old wine in new bottles.”