Abstract
This paper will discuss the following questions. Why does the Justice and Development Party (JDP) attach importance to European politics? And which kinds of factor direct the JDP towards European Union(EU)? The JDP, which for the first time came into the power in 2002 and repeated the same success in July 2007 general elections, attached much importance to EU politics in the first years of its power, opposite the way of where its roots are belonging to, National Outlook tradition. As a result of intense and successful politics of JDP, Turkey started negotiations with EU in 2005. However, after the negotiations have begun, there is an unproductive period that until now only ten of the thirty five titles could be opened. The founders and leaders in JDP were grown up under the influence of National Outlook tradition. It is of great interest to find the factors that attracts JDP towards EU unlike the traiditon of National Outlook. Erbakan, who is the leader of National Outlook, defines EU as a Club of Christians. How come JDP, founded by reformist people that separated from Welfare Party, turned its face to EU? Since back from 1960's EU become the government's major pursuit. The power of JDP, realizing the mistakes that they did during Welfare period, made reforms in all levels, and strengthened its power. JDP, berried by starting of the negotiations. On the other hand, owing to internal affairs of unexpected complications ( president election, e-revolution, headscarf problem, closure case against JDP), since the second half of 2006, I do not think that enough consideration was given for the EU. I wonder, whether JDP lost its enthusiasm for EU or not? Which kind of political issues might have made JDP to slow down the process for EU membership? Right now, what JDP thinks about EU and what they are exactly expecting? Considering all of these, I will try to examine the position of the JDP towards EU membership.
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