The European Budget Post - 2013 and its Effects on EU-Turkey Relations REIMER BOEGE* Introduction Close to six years into negotiations between Turkey and the European Union (EU) regarding Turkey’s application for full EU membership, Turkey has made visible progress in many areas of Community acquis, with the added special assistance of the EU budget. Nonetheless, in view of the continuing dispute over Cyprus as well as shortcomings in the areas of religious freedom and human rights, many negotiation chapters remain deadlocked; and it is thus difficult to predict when the negotiations will come to a close. The compliance of Turkey with all 35 chapters of the Community acquis constitutes a necessary condition for EU accession, yet the European Council has declared the negotiations to be open-ended.1 As represented most prominently by France and Germany, strong reservations against Turkish EU membership persist in the Council: member states fear the impact of a big and predominantly Muslim country upon the EU. Further, these members deny the country’s European credentials. Consequently, even if the membership negotiations with Turkey were finalized, Turkey could still fall short of gaining the necessary unanimity for accession in the Council. Whereas the European Parliament is split on the issue of Turkish membership, the European Commission continues to support the eventual EU accession of Turkey and encourages further reform efforts in the candidate country while at the same time refraining from setting a target date. However, both institutions have made it clear in the context of the discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 that they do not foresee Turkey joining the EU before 2020. * Member of the European Parliament Committee on Budgets, Special committee on the policy challenges and budgetary resources for a sustainable European Union after 2013. 1. Presidency Conclusions of the European Council on 16/17 December 2004. Presidency Conclusions of the European Council on 16/17 December 2004.
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