Orientation of the Kurds Towards the European Union: Low Level of Knowledge, High Level of Idealist Expectations

Abstract

The Kurdish problem has not only been one of Turkey's most important and long-standing problems, but also always ranked among top agenda items in relation to the EU accession process. Consequently, the stance and opinions of the Kurds on matters pertaining to the Union are of critical importance. The present paper aims to analyze Kurdish orientations to the EU based on two main modes of orientation described in the literature, level of awareness (interest and information), and subjective assessments, on the basis of a field study conducted among university graduate Kurds.