EU enlargement and membership through the Turkey experience. EUMA Paper Vol. 7, No. 4, April 2010

[From the Introduction]. To analyze how the enlargement process and accession into the European Union (EU) is accomplished it is important to look at a country going through the process. Turkey has been attempting to be granted EU membership since 1987 when it filed its application2 but the relationship between Turkey and the EU dates back to their association agreement made in 1963.3 While it is true that there are many other factors outside of not meeting the Copenhagen Criteria that have kept Turkey from being admitted into the EU, meeting the Copenhagen Criteria is expected of every candidate.4 Using the Copenhagen Criteria as a guide this paper will demonstrate the massive reforms countries take prior to being allowed entrance into the EU. Also we will highlight the external factors of accession that make enlargement a difficult process for all EU members and candidate countries