Rebooting EU foreign policy part 1 – Nick Witney
Nick Witney, co-author of the ECFR publication 'Rebooting EU foreign policy', explains the need for a rethink of how the EU deals with the…
Nick Witney, co-author of the ECFR publication 'Rebooting EU foreign policy', explains the need for a rethink of how the EU deals with the…
Turkey is sliding back on its democratisation path
After the AK Party of Prime Minister Erdogan's strong showing in recent local elections, despite fears about his increasingly autocratic style, what next for…
The eruption of protest in Istanbul and other Turkish cities expresses vigorous opposition to the political direction of prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This is a big, even historic, moment in Turkey.
Shunned by the EU with membership talks effectively blocked, Turkey feels empowered. It is no longer on the European periphery, but at the centre of its own world.
Europe needs to take more responsibility in its neighbourhood
Relations between the EU and Turkey have hit such lows over the past few years that even marginal improvements look like big breakthroughs. However, positive momentum is building up thanks to the new French President Francois Hollande and a pragmatic Cypriot EU Council presidency.
Turkey's international profile and domestic politics have long been oriented towards the European Union. Now, both the Arab awakening and the internal momentum of AKP rule are pushing Ankara closer to the United States.