Turkey and the European Union – a New Phase of Relations
- Year of publication: 2011
- Source: Show
- Pages: 104-122
- DOI Address: https://doi.org/10.15804/athena.2011.29.06
- PDF: apsp/29/apsp2906.pdf
Turkey can join the EU once it has fulfilled the conditions and thus complies with European principles and laws. According to Turkish authorities, Ankara is ready and can adopt the full acquis communautaire by 2014. The aim of the article is to argue that seen in this light, the Nabucco pipeline project which is expected to bring Caspian gas to Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria via Turkey is of essential importance. By building this pipeline Turkey might become the fourth energy supply route for natural gas to Western Europe. Moreover, Turkey’s accession to the Energy Community Treaty as an equal partner with full rights would be an extremely important opportunity for Ankara to strengthen its position and commitment on its way to the membership in the EU.