Fadi Hakura comments the Turkey-Eu contest

Fadi Hakura, Chatham House specialist on Turkish affairs, uses the strategy and tactics of rugby as a metaphor for Turkey's progression towards EU accession. "In this model, Turkish players (the Ankara government and the pro-accession parliamentary coalition) must aim for the goal-line where a try (accession) can be scored (achieved) only by exerting mighty strength in the field to overcome a series of obstacles; among the latter are implementing the acquis communautaire [the complete body of EU legislation], domestic reforms, and structural economic changes; addressing human-rights issues; averting threats of veto; bypassing EU and Turkish sceptics; winning possible referendums; and solving the Cyprus conundrum. Along the way, the Turks have to calculate, anticipate and plan for the movements of the opposing teams of member-states. These contests offer a range of challenges from adversaries with a variety of styles ... ."

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