Never mind Brexit scaremongering – Turkey is a long way from joining the EU

There have been competing claims within the context of the UK’s EU referendum campaign over the prospect of Turkey joining the EU in the near future. David Phinnemore and Erhan İçener argue that the notion Turkey is close to joining the EU has been overstated by those campaigning for a Brexit, and that regardless of the merits of Turkey’s application for membership, it will be extremely difficult for the country to join due to opposition within the EU’s member states.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: International Summit: Meeting of the EU heads of state or government with Turkey, Brussels, 7 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/international-summit-meeting-of-the-eu-heads-of-state-or-government-with-turkey-brussels-7-march-2016/

ESO: Background information: European Commission opens way for decision by June on visa-free travel for citizens of Turkey http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-commission-opens-way-for-decision-by-june-on-visa-free-travel-for-citizens-of-turkey/

BBC News 27.04.16: EU referendum: Will Turkey's EU hopes affect UK vote? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36130465

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