Turkey's Potential Contribution to the EU, Fall 2002

This article seeks to examine Turkey’s potential contribution to the EU in three broad areas: political/ security, economic, and social. Within the scope of political gains, it is argued that Turkey’s membership will enhance EU’s influence in the Middle East, Balkans and Caucasus as well as contributing to the diversification of its energy supplies and the strengthening of its justice and home-affairs policy. Economic gains are evaluated mainly with respect to market expansion, access to neighbouring markets, and liberalisation of services and public procurement. Contributions in the fields of politics and economics are complemented by social gains which are expected to minimise the negative impacts of declining and ageing populations in Europe as well as revitalising EU’s labour market with her young labour force.

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