SOCIO-POLITICAL DISCOURSE ON TURKEY'S EUROPEAN INTEGRATION: CHALLENGES, PROSPECTS AND NATIONAL INTERESTS

Abstract

The article analyzes the socio-political discourse around the process of Turkey's European integration, identifies the key challenges, prospects and national interests that influence the formation of the country's foreign policy strategy in relations with the European Union. It is pointed out that the Turkish model of modernization of society and the State has been attracting the attention of scholars and politicians around the world for almost a century as a unique example of a Muslim country whose political system is based on the Western principles of secularism and democratic rule. The key factors influencing Turkey's relations with the European Union, including domestic political processes, democratic reforms, and the impact of foreign policy ambitions, are studied. The process of gradual change in Turkey's priorities for European integration is analyzed, which is partly due to internal political transformations and the changed geopolitical situation. Particular attention is paid to the changes in the political discourse since the early 2000s, in particular in the context of the strengthening of the Justice and Development Party's power. The author argues that Turkey's dependence on the EU is decreasing, as a result of which European integration is gradually receding into the background compared to other foreign policy and national interests. It is proved that the study of the socio-political discourse on Turkey's European integration is necessary to understand how this process affects political decisions, public consciousness and the international image of Turkey. Thus, Turkey's European integration process faces a number of challenges, including cultural and religious differences between Turkey and the EU, domestic political problems such as repression and restrictions on democratic freedoms, and geopolitical differences over Turkey's foreign policy. Turkey prioritizes its national interests, which include economic growth, political stability, and strengthening its position in the international arena: European integration is an important, but not the only strategic direction for Turkey.