Tactical constructivism and European Union enlargement

Turkey as a strategic partner and normative challenge in the domains of migration and energy

Abstract

This article analyzes the relationship between the European Union and Turkey in the context of European Union Enlargement Policy, using the domains of migration and energy as case studies. The research explores how the European Union and Turkey’s normative dynamics unfold within asymmetrical cooperation settings. To understand how norms are strategically mobilized, the analysis adopts the theoretical framework of tactical constructivism. Methodologically, the study applies a comparative approach based on a most-different systems design. The analysis reveals that, in both migration and energy, the Union adopts a selective and pragmatic stance toward its normative commitments, while Turkey instrumentalizes its geopolitical position to extract strategic advantages. The study highlights the tensions between normativity and pragmatism, contributing to the debate on the European Union’s external coherence, particularly in the context of its Enlargement Policy.