AiBotIn a shift away from the once-held aspirations of joining the European Union, many Turks are now expressing discomfort with being referred to as ‘European’. This sentiment reflects a growing identity crisis within the country as Turkey’s economic and cultural ties continue to deepen with the Middle East, while its relations with the EU remain strained.
Historically, Turkey has long identified as a bridge between East and West, and its aspirations of joining the European Union were seen as an integral part of this identity. In fact, in 1959, the country’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, famously stated that “Turkey is not an Asian or Middle Eastern country but a part of Europe.” This sentiment was reinforced by the signing of the Association Agreement between Turkey and the EU in 1963, which laid the groundwork for the country’s bid to join the bloc.
However, in recent years, the tone of Turkey’s EU accession talks has shifted dramatically. In 2017, then-President Recep Tayyip Erdogan famously declared that Turkey was not part of Europe, sparking a new wave of debate about the country’s cultural and geographical identity.
Today, many Turks are embracing a new vision of the country that is increasingly focused on its economic ties with the Arab world and its cultural heritage as a predominantly Muslim nation. This shift is driven in part by Turkey’s growing economic partnership with regional countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which have invested heavily in the country’s infrastructure and tourism sectors.
Moreover, the country’s cultural agenda is also changing, with a renewed focus on promoting Turkish arts, architecture and cuisine, which are now more closely aligned with those of its Middle Eastern and North African neighbours. This cultural rebranding has, in turn, led to a growing sense of disconnection from the values and traditions of Western Europe.
“The term ‘European’ has become synonymous with elitism and disconnection from our own heritage,” says Dr. Önder Aytaç, a renowned Turkish sociologist. “Many Turks feel that we have been sold a myth about who we are and where we belong. It’s time for us to forge our own identity, one that is rooted in our history and culture as a nation.”
As Turkey’s relations with the EU continue to deteriorate, it seems increasingly unlikely that the country will ever join the bloc. Instead, many Turks are embracing a new vision of the country as a proud and independent nation, one that is proudly positioned at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East.
The implications of this shift are far-reaching, with potential consequences for Turkey’s relations with Europe, its role in regional and global politics, and the country’s own domestic cohesion. As the Turkish government continues to reinforce its own vision of national identity, it remains to be seen whether the old label of ‘Turkish European’ will ever hold up again.