Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 07/2011

EU's Rejection of Turkey: The Real Underlying Reason

Yalım Eralp

April 2011

Global Political Trends Center

Abstract

There are many negative elements in EU-Turkey relations. Some consider the difference in religion as the primary factor. The issue is deeper than that. It is cultural contradiction. When Europe says cultural diversity is richness, it tends to mean cultural integration.