Presidency of Religious Affairs in Process of the European Union: An Assessment in Context of Issue of Autonomy and Representation

Abstract

The process of European Union (EU) is an important factor which has an effect on Turkey almost in every area. The developments appeared in area of democracy and human rights with adaptation process of the EU, especially in the context of the Copenhagen criteria, bring also some social demands. One of these demands appears undoubtedly in the areas of religious services and religious education. Demands in especially religious services’ area bring Presidency of the Religious Affairs into focus of the debates in many areas from its structure and functioning to services given by it. In fact, this situation has been reflected in the yearly progress reports issued by the EU Commission. This article examines some discussions on the Presidency of Religious Affairs in the process of the EU. In this context, firstly it deals with institutional autonomy of Presidency; secondly it evaluates its representative problems. Lastly, it tries to evaluate the debates in the context of the EU acquis