This paper argues that the Copenhagen political criteria constitute the leverage that is making Turkish democratization more plural, multi-cultural and consolidated. The study evaluates the impact of EU conditionality and the remaining problems and prospects in four major areas: the role of the military, human rights, protection of minorities and the judicial system. The paper concludes that the dynamic process of change underway requires the continuation of efforts by Turkey to fully implement the Copenhagen political criteria and a credible policy of conditionality by the EU.
