The EU's Response to Turkey's Membership Application: Not Just a Weighing of Costs and Benefits

In October 2005 the European Union opened accession negotiations with Turkey even though the governments of several member states harboured doubts about the wisdom of so doing. This article examines why the EU agreed to the opening of the negotiations, given the existence of reservations and the fact that the decision needed the approval of the governments of all twenty‐five member states. It is argued that whilst a rationalist approach goes a long way in explaining the decision, political pressures and rhetorical actions provide important additional dimensions of explanation.