The problem of the "minority question" in European union-Turkey relations

Abstract

Only Turkey, as an applicant State to the European Union (EU), does not, as yet satisfy the Copenhagen political criteria, which require the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law and respect for and protection of minorities. In this respect, one of the controversial issues of Turkey's accession to the EU is the "minority" question. This article considers this issue with reference to the Commission's Regular Reports on Turkey, the Accession Partnership and the Turkish National Programme. It is argued that a compromise formula that would recognise the cultural identity of persons who display distinctive ethnic characteristics differing from those of the majority, based on individual human rights, without referring to the concept of minority, could be developed. However as it is stated in the decisions of the Turkish Constitutional Court, what is feared is that the demands to recognize cultural rights may subsequently instigate "a tendency to break off from the whole" and undermine the national unity.