Civil society and role of the military

Turkey is a militarized country. Strengthening the civil society is one of the most important targets in the change process. Militarization effects all levels of the society. On the top there is National Security Council which rules the country. Village guards are the final link of the system at the grass roots level.

Civilian control over the military needs to be asserted. The European Commission demands that full parliamentary control over military expenditures must be ensured both in terms of approving the budget and in terms of auditing (EC 2004a, 12).

The government of Turkey has increasingly asserted its control over the military. But according to the European Commission, the Armed Forces continue to exercise influence through a series of informal channels, although the process of aligning civil-military relations with EU practice is underway (EC 2004a, 15).


Civil society

Turkey is a militarized country. Strengthening the civil society is one of the most important targets in the change process. Militarization effects all levels of the society. On the top there is National Security Council which rules the country. Village guards are the final link of the system at the grass roots level.

Civilian control over the military needs to be asserted. The European Commission demands that full parliamentary control over military expenditures must be ensured both in terms of approving the budget and in terms of auditing (EC 2004a, 12).

The government of Turkey has increasingly asserted its control over the military. But according to the European Commission, the Armed Forces continue to exercise influence through a series of informal channels, although the process of aligning civil-military relations with EU practice is underway (EC 2004a, 15).