Turkey’s Membership to the EU in Terms of “Clash of Civilizations”

Abstract

Especially after September 11, increasing Islamophobia in Europe has led to discussions on Turkey’s membership to the EU in terms of compatibility of Islam and European identity. The beginning of the negotiation process with Turkey on 3 October 2005 have increased discussions on the accession of a country which has a predominantly Muslim population for the first time in the history of the EU. Huntington claims that in the post-Cold War era the ‘clash of civilisations’ will dominate global politics. He refers to Turkey as a “torn” or “semi-European” country. Especially after September 11 the question of Turkey’s membership to the EU has started to be discussed on the basis of the idea of “clash of civilisations” both by supporters and by the opponents. For some of the opponents of Turkey’s membership, Turkey can not be a member of the EU because of not being part of a European civilisation. On the other hand, some people perceive the integration of Turkey to the EU as a counter example of the “clash of civilisations”. If Turkey can be integrated to the EU on the basis of common values of the EU, it will prove the compatibility of Islam and European identity and stronger construction of European identity on civic basis. Turkish membership to the EU will also show that Muslims, who are living in the EU, are already part of European identity. It may also help smoothing the growing tension between the West and the Islamic world.