THE INFLUENCE OF THE ECONOMIC CRISIS AND REFUGEE CRISIS ON EU POLITICS: THE CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS FOR TURKEY-EU RELATIONS

Authors : Selcen ÖNER

Pages : 59-85

View : 49 | Download : 16

Publication Date : 2016-12-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This article focuses on the influence of the latest economic crisis and the Syrian refugee crisis on  EU politics, increasing differentiation among the EU  member states in terms of their interests and policies. It discusses the move  towards further differentiated integration in the EU and its influence on Turkey - EU relations. Firstly, it explains the infl uence of the economic crisis on  European politics, particularly Germany’s rising influence, the widening gap  between northern and southern Europe, and Brexit referendum in the UK which  led to discussions on further differentiated integration within the EU.  Secondly,  the article explains flexible integration models that were put forward before the  economic crisis and it discusses new options for further differentiated  integration after the economic crisis, refugee crisis and Brexit referendum.  Lastly, the ar ticle evaluates the impact of refugee crisis on Turkey - EU relations, the revitalization of Turkey - EU relations, the rising role of Turkey as  a ‘strategic partner’ of the EU and discusses the recent challenges and  prospects in Turkey - EU relations.
Keywords : European Union, Turkey, economic crisis, refugee crisis, differentiated integration

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