The perspectives and goals for Turkish membership in the EU depend on the course o f domestic politics, the activity o f transnational actors, and a supportive trust and confidence-building procedure that not only changes the two partners, but recognises that the relationship between them is the central problem in sorting out the issue o f Turkish membership. The real goals ofmembership have not been thought through in broadpublic debate in either Turkey or the EU, but will be promoted as membership talks become more concrete. In order for this process to start, the EU will need to be more specific about which concerns regarding the Copenhagen Criteria can be handled during accession negotiations. 

The perspectives and goals for Turkish membership in the EU depend on the course o f domestic politics, the activity o f transnational actors, and a supportive trust and confidence-building procedure that not only changes the two partners, but recognises that the relationship between them is the central problem in sorting out the issue o f Turkish membership. The real goals ofmembership have not been thought through in broadpublic debate in either Turkey or the EU, but will be promoted as membership talks become more concrete. In order for this process to start, the EU will need to be more specific about which concerns regarding the Copenhagen Criteria can be handled during accession negotiations.