Turkey plots its own route forward

It may not be joining the EU anytime soon, but Turkey is more active than ever in European research programmes. Tania Rabesandratana spoke with Turkish officials about their country’s burgeoning research ambitions.

Expectations that Turkey will soon join the EU have faded in recent years. But in terms of research—the sole area in which the country has already met EU accession terms—Turkey’s integration continues apace.

“[Research] is the only area in which Turkey and the EU have a proper relationship,” Cemil Çiçek, the conservative speaker of Turkey’s parliament, told Research Europe. “Whether the negotiations result in full membership or not, we have to give priority to research and innovation to keep our economy robust.”