Accession to the European Union

Time for Plan B Europe Must Not Be Blackmailed by Turkey

After agreeing to help the European Union control the flow of migrants heading north, the Turkish government now feels empowered to use the deal as leverage. Europe must now find an alternative to its agreement with Ankara, lest it subject itself to blackmail. Von Mathieu von Rohr

Europe Must Not Be Blackmailed by Turkey - Getty Images

Erdogan's Putsch Turkey's Post-Coup Slide into Dictatorship

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is taking advantage of last week's failed coup to consolidate his power. As the country slides into a dictatorship, there is a lot at stake for the West. But the effects in Turkey itself promise to be far greater. By SPIEGEL Staff

Turkey's Post-Coup Slide into Dictatorship - Getty Images

Uncertain Future Weaknesses Emerge in EU-Turkey Refugee Deal

The EU is praising the first deportations this week from Greece to Turkey as a breakthrough for the recent refugee agreement with Ankara. But it was little more than a show. Many believe the deal will fail to survive the expected legal challenges. Von Giorgos Christides, Katrin Kuntz und Maximilian Popp

Weaknesses Emerge in EU-Turkey Refugee Deal - AP

With Friends Like These... Erdogan's Assault on Freedom and Democracy

The EU has placed its fate in the hands of Turkish President Erdogan. But the man who is to help solve the refugee crisis has recently shown more clearly than ever that he prefers autocracy to democracy. He is the price Europe must pay for failure. By SPIEGEL Staff

Erdogan's Assault on Freedom and Democracy - REUTERS/ Presidential Palace

Summit of Failure How the EU Lost Russia over Ukraine

One year ago, negotations over a Ukraine association agreement with the European Union collapsed. The result has been a standoff with Russia and war in the Donbass. It was an historical failure, and one that German Chancellor Angela Merkel contributed to. Von SPIEGEL Staff

How the EU Lost Russia over Ukraine - DPA

On the Stump Erdogan Lashes Out at Germany in Search of Votes

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan has been sharply critical of comments made by German President Joachim Gauck about his country's democratic deficiencies. His assertiveness plays well with Turks in Germany, who could be a strong force in the next election. Von SPIEGEL Staff

Erdogan Lashes Out at Germany in Search of Votes - REUTERS

Heading for the Margins Why Is Britain Running Away from Europe?

Great Britain used to play a key role in leading Europe, and the benefits have been substantial. But now, the UK is turning its back on the EU and has chosen to focus on peripheral issues. It is the wrong move. Von Will Straw

Why Is Britain Running Away from Europe? - DPA

Ukraine's Vitali Klitschko 'The People Intend to Fight'

Ukrainian opposition leader and heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko spoke to SPIEGEL about his presidential ambitions, the ongoing threat of a violent crackdown against the protesters, and Germany's role in bringing Ukraine closer to Europe. Von Benjamin Bidder und Erich Follath

'The People Intend to Fight' - Yuri Kozyrev/ Noor/ DER SPIEGEL

Poverty Migration Berlin Backs UK's 'Benefit Tourism' Offensive

Germany has now stepped into the UK-triggered fray over introducing new restrictions on migration within the EU. The European Commission is enraged, and even conservative EU parliamentarians warn of pandering to populists. Von Carsten Volkery und Severin Weiland

Berlin Backs UK's 'Benefit Tourism' Offensive - DPA

Joining the Club Croatia Celebrates Entry to European Union

The European Union gained its 28th member on Monday -- Croatia. It's a major milestone for the former Yugoslav country, which was ravaged by war only two decades ago. But to pull out of its current economic slump, it still has a lot of work to do.

Croatia Celebrates Entry to European Union - AFP

'Late for the Party' No Joy in Croatia's EU Accession

Croatia becomes a member of the EU next week. But with Zagreb likely to need urgent subsidies from Brussels, is the small Eastern European country ready for accession? Von Christoph Pauly

No Joy in Croatia's EU Accession - REUTERS

EU Accession Turkish Talks to Continue Despite Berlin Tiff

The European Union agreed on Tuesday to continue accession talks with Turkey, but only after a progress report due in October. The compromise deal serves to defuse the recent acrimonious dispute between Ankara and Berlin.

Turkish Talks to Continue Despite Berlin Tiff - REUTERS

German-Turkish Spat Berlin Summons Turkish Ambassador over Merkel Criticism

Germany's foreign minister is irritated by the reaction of Turkey's leading European affairs official to remarks by Chancellor Angela Merkel about the excessive use of force against protesters. Guido Westerwelle believes the rhetoric is "anything but European."

Berlin Summons Turkish Ambassador over Merkel Criticism - DPA

'They Will Give In' Turkey Pressures Germany on EU Accession

A European commissioner's remark that Germany and France would one day come crawling "on their knees" begging Turkey to join the EU has miffed Berlin and thrilled Ankara. As German Chancellor Merkel prepares for a visit to Turkey, the country is pushing for concessions. Von Jürgen Gottschlich

Turkey Pressures Germany on EU Accession - AFP

The World from Berlin Turkish Accession Is 'of Minor Importance' to EU

Turkey's prime minister has given the European Union until 2023 to grant his country full membership. But resistance remains strong and the EU has more important issues to deal with at the moment, argue German media commentators on Thurday.

Turkish Accession Is 'of Minor Importance' to EU - dapd

'We Wanted to Wake Up Croatia' Commission Says Zagreb Must Improve before Joining EU

Croatia must do its homework before it can join the European Union next summer as planned, says European Enlargement Minister Stefan Füle. He told SPIEGEL that the progress report released this month was an effort to "wake up" Zagreb, and emphasized that the accession process can be stopped any time.

Commission Says Zagreb Must Improve before Joining EU - DPA

Expanding Europe Germany Doubts Whether Croatia Is Ready for EU

Croatia is set to join the European Union next summer, but after a recent progress report exposed problem areas, several leading German conservatives have placed the timeline in doubt. The EU, they argue, does not need another Romania.

Germany Doubts Whether Croatia Is Ready for EU - AP

The World from Berlin 'We Can't Be Indifferent to What Happens in Ukraine'

Germany is putting increasing pressure on the Ukrainian government over its treatment of jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, whose home city of Dnipropetrovsk was shaken by a series of explosions on Friday. German commentators applaud Berlin's hard line on the case.

'We Can't Be Indifferent to What Happens in Ukraine' - DPA

Border Dispute with Kosovo Serbian Attackers Shoot at NATO Soldiers

NATO reinforcements have been sent to Kosovo's northern border with Serbia after a group of angry Serbs attacked and set fire to a border post there. They also reportedly opened fire on NATO troops nearby. The incident highlights growing tensions between ethnic Serbs and Kosovar Albanians.

Serbian Attackers Shoot at NATO Soldiers - DPA

Cyprus Dispute German Conservatives Welcome Turkey's EU Threats

The ongoing dispute over divided Cyprus may escalate problems between Turkey and the European Union after Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan threatened to freeze EU relations when the Greek Cypriots take on the rotating presidency in 2012. The move only serves to further disqualify Turkey's plans to join the EU, German conservatives say.