Avrupalılaşma ve Türkiye‟nin bölgesel politikası: 1999-2015.

This thesis seeks to explore the role of the Europeanization process in Turkey’s regional policy since the Helsinki Summit of the European Union (EU) in 1999 when Turkey was accepted as a candidate country for the membership in the EU. Contrary to the views of some experts who claim that the Europeanization process involves a comprehensive transformation of the institutions and policies of the candidate countries in line with the expectations of the EU, Turkey’s regional policy between 1999 and 2015 demonstrates that such a comprehensive transformation may not always be realized as Turkey’s regional policy has not been substantially harmonised with the principles and institutional framework of the EU’s overall regional policy, as well as met EU’s expectations as a candidate country. This is partly related to the reluctance of the EU during Turkey’s accession negotiations, but also to Turkey’s continuing adherence to centralisation principle in its policy towards the regions despite its stated objective of Europeanization of its regional policy. The thesis has six chapters: The introductory first chapter is followed by a chapter on the evolution of the EU’s regional policy. The subsequent third and fourth chapters deal with the characteristics of Turkey’s regional policy before and after 1999. The fifth chapter analysing the key issues in Turkey’s regional policy precedes the conclusion.M.S. - Master of Scienc