One tends not to associate Türkiye with the European Union when the topic comes up in most of our heads. However, that country’s desire to join the EU reminds us of where the Union began as an international superpower. Despite initiating its application for associate membership in 1987 and beginning full EU membership negotiations in 2005, after many challenges and obstacles, this bumpy journey has delayed progress and worsened Türkiye-EU relations. 

Conversely, after obtaining the status of a candidate country, discussions and negotiations with this transcontinental state began revealing certain critical subjects. The EU’s major concerns about Türkiye were presented, including its human rights and democratic deficits, as well as issues related to the rule of law. More specifically, this country’s performance in areas such as freedom of expression, media freedom, and judicial independence was not adequately addressed. 

Another significant hurdle in Türkiye's EU journey has been the longstanding Cyprus dispute. Back in 1974, after several military conflicts in the Mediterranean island, and under close monitoring from the United Nations, Cyprus got divided into the nowadays known states of the Republic of Cyprus, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Turkish refusal to recognize the Republic of Cyprus –currently being a full member of the European Union- has complicated this country’s accession talks, as progress on certain negotiation chapters has been blocked due to unresolved issues related to Cyprus.  

On the other hand, some experts speculate for the upper motive of refusal by the European Union to cede in any representative field of negotiation, to be linked to the maintenance of the actual power distribution among member states. The truth is that, following the EU electoral system, and because of Türkiye's huge population, the union would be laying a vast amount of decision taking power to the newcomer. This has aroused concerns all over both the European Institutions and this coalition’s actual biggest economies. 

Despite these challenges, Türkiye and the EU have maintained a bilateral strong yet bumpy relationship, as both sides acknowledged the objective complementarities and mutual needs in the fields of trade, migration, security, and counterterrorism. As a result, Türkiye became – and remains – a country of strategic significance to the EU as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East. 

Looking ahead, the future of Türkiye's application to join the EU remains uncertain, with numerous factors influencing its trajectory. On the one hand, the latest political revelations have shown optimism among those in favor of the addition. However, the deterioration of relations between Türkiye and some EU member states has further complicated the process. Consequently, public support for EU membership in Türkiye has also declined, reflecting growing disillusionment and skepticism regarding the benefits of EU membership. This, together with the United Kingdom leaving the union, has reopened the never-ending debate of whether the European Union can have an actual future prospect –a discussion we will delve into in future issues-.  

Given the representative weight of both economic powers in the global economic landscape, as they continue to engage in dialogue and negotiations, the future direction of their relationship will not only impact their bilateral ties but also broader regional dynamics and global geopolitics. Finding common ground and addressing mutual concerns will be essential for fostering a constructive and mutually beneficial relationship between Türkiye and the European Union.