History of Turkey's European Union Membership Process

* 1959
Turkey , at July of 31st, 1959 to European Economic Community (EEC) filed for a partnership.

* 1963
Perspective of full membership in the Customs Union and the European Economic Community, the Ankara Agreement (Partnership Agreement) and I. Financial Protocol was signed.

* 1970
Additional Protocol(Annexed protocol) and II. Financial Protocol signed in Brussels.

* 1973
Explaining how to set up the Customs Union’s ‘’ Additional Protocol ‘’ entered into force.

* 1980
Following the September 12nd military coup stop relations between Turkey and the European Economic Community (EEC).

* 1987
Turkey, on April 14, has made application for full membership of the European Economic Community (EEC).

* 1996
Between Turkey and the The European Union (EU) "Customs Union" came into force as of January 1st.

* 1997
Grant candidate status to Turkey at the Luxembourg summit of The European Union (EU) leaders in December. Political relations were stopped by Turkey.

* 1998
The European Commission published a progress first report on Turkey.

* 1999
Council of Europe, the Helsinki Summit in December, gave the status of candidate country for EU membership to Turkey.

* 2001
European Council on March of 8th that the road map for Turkey's The European Union (EU) accession process The European Union (EU) - Turkey Accession Partnership Document was adopted.

* 2004
On December 17th of the Council of the European Union, took the decision to start membership negotiations with Turkey.

* 2005
On October 3rd , Turkey's The European Union (EU) accession negotiations  and Screening Process began officially. Negotiation Framework Document was adopted.

* 2006
The European Union (EU)  have blocked Turkey talks with 8 titles. Because Turkey didn't  implement Customs Union  to new member Cyprus.

* 2007
Referendum on the constitutional obligation to provide input on the for new The European Union (EU) members. And France, who has made the five - tuple associated with full membership negotiation was blocked.

* 2010
From June 2010, Turkey has 35 title and 13 of them have started negotiations and 1 of them are temporarily stopped.


Negotiation Process


* 2005
The first phase of the negotiation process started on 3 October 2005 be referred to as the screening process, on 20 October 2005 "Science and Research" chapter of started, 11-13 October 2006, "Judiciary and Fundamental Rights" chapter in the bilateral screening meeting has ended.

* 2006
During the screening process as a continuation of the Austrian EU Presidency on 12 June 2006 "Science and Research" chapter of negotiations have been opened and provisionally closed the same day.

In December 2006 the EU by 8 topics ("Free Movement of Goods", "Right of establishment and freedom to provide services", "Agriculture and Rural Development", "Customs Union", "Foreign Affairs", "fishing", "Financial Services", "Transportation ") of their obligations under the Customs Union has been suspended due to failure to follow against South Cyprus. The other decision that the European Council in December 2006 that Turkey open its ports and airports in South Cyprus, the issue of a temporary shutdown criterion is that all the titles.

* 2007
During the first half of the Germany presidency of the Year "Enterprise and Industrial Policy" and "Statistics" and "Financial Control" opened negotiations with headings.

During the Portuguese presidency in the second half of 2007 "Trans-European Networks", "Consumer and Health Protection" was opened for negotiation topics.

Within this year, "Economic and Monetary Policy", "Agriculture and Rural Development", "Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments", "Institutions" and "Financial and Budgetary Provisions" titles because they are directly related to membership in France has been blocked on appeal.

* 2008
During the Slovenian Presidency in the first half of 2008, "Company Law" and "Intellectual Property Law" was opened for negotiation topics.

During the French Presidency in the second half of the year, "Information Society and Media" and "Free movement of capital" was opened for negotiation topics.

* 2009
Czech Republic presidency, "Taxation" section was opened for negotiation.

During the Swedish Presidency in the second half of the year, "Environment" section was opened for negotiation.

* 2010

Spanish presidency in the first half of the year, "Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Health" heading was opened for negotiation.


Perspectives for the coming period:

Expected to open in the next short period of negotiations as a priority headings "Public Procurement", "Social Policy and Employment", "Competition Policy" and "Other Issues" is. The remaining titles in order to open a portion of the opening criteria are met, the political reason of barriers to discussion of topics in the political path must be removed or blocked. At first, "Agriculture and Rural Development", including the removal of some of the topics open in both technical and political barriers to the fulfillment of the criteria depends on the opening.

Internal Dimension

Meaning in terms of compliance with The European Union (EU), Turkey is to achieve better living conditions. The EU accession process, justice, education, health, environment, investment environment, foreign trade, competition and a wide range such as this, requires that the reforms necessary for Turkey. That is completely in line with Turkey's national interests, including developments in process. National extraction, this process is not only economically, politically and socially in the form of a reform process to define and carry out a parallel process of a successful negotiation. Stability provided by the The European Union (EU) accession process in terms of opening the way for foreign investments in the economy, taking into account the apparent target, a high growth rate and a short time to stabilize the purchasing power parity, which corresponds to half the The European Union (EU) average of at least one must capture the level of national income per capita.

Under this perspective, Turkey, 1999 at the Helsinki Summit in December, after having obtained the status of The European Union (EU) candidate countries political and economic reform process entered an irreversible path and has achieved significant gains. Governments that are on duty throughout the process, albeit at a variable life have undergone such reforms. With the start of accession negotiations in 2005, the most serious stage of the accession process has been entered.

Turkey within the framework of the The European Union (EU)'s budgetary and institutional arrangements appear to be the most reasonable date in 2014, wants to become a member, are required to complete negotiations by 2012. In the country for the years 2011 and 2012 parliamentary and presidential elections to be taken into account if the future of the legal and administrative compliance with the equivalent period of work ahead of us thought for the less time you will need to consider when we left. Which is currently not open for negotiation and discussion, and especially difficult if we take into account long-pass timing problem topics will be revealed to serious thought.

Discussion of these topics in relation to ongoing and is expected to start discussing the arrangements stipulated in the National Programme will be applied. However, the legal regulations of the National Programme, the realization rate is extremely low.

External Dimension

On the other hand, the central countries of Europe member states to the The European Union (EU) enlargement and the transfer of powers to Brussels in the range of politicians in power against the other candidate countries, Turkey's new challenges that have not reached the agenda be removed.

The European Union (EU) currently is in evolution. Within The European Union (EU), global vision is of a political perspective, or withdrawn, the "old Europe" mentality is not certain to rise dominant. EU, today, global economic competitiveness, trying to overcome the problems of the areas of institutional reform and political integration, on the other hand, keep step with globalization, and also to delay Turkey's membership process in some member states, led a group working to slow down the observed change in The European Union (EU). Turkey  towards a better democracy, more competitive economy and a strong community with a demographic structure as the strong, The European Union (EU) should follow closely the evolution. We're ready for membership, The European Union (EU) must be ready.

The European Union (EU)'s agenda and to contribute to discussions on the future of the multilateral strategic, close to the EU Institutions to Cooperate on the idea, and in this way become a party contributing to The European Union (EU) agenda is important. Politics, the fundamental solution of the problems and the most important driving force in this direction that the economic growth and global competitiveness policies and focus on Strategies to produce a solution.

The World Economy

Global economic conditions are very effective. Because competition is increasing day to day. Even countries are competing. So economy complex concept. In this manner the main issue is to focus on the goal. If you focus to target, you will be successful. Rapidly changing economic and political structures today. Nevertheless, we are working successful in our goal and we should be careful.


Even large interdependent economies. For example China and U.S.A. have got large percent economic trade. They have got strong ‘’ currency-product ‘’ relations. If these are missing one of the, it will be unbalanced. And one factor will affect the world economy. Because the world economy reacts to quickly. There are many things about the future of each country will do. Reason of the economic crisis of 2008, all countries experienced panic. The world lived effective 2 in a global crisis. First one was in 1930, second and last crisis was in 2008 on October. There was fear that the financial system will collapse.


1997-98 was the Asian crisis. Crisis in developing countries was constantly. But the last crisis was about developed country. For this reason this affect the all over the world.
The first global crisis was in 1931-32. That was disaster. The unemployment rate rose to 30%.the Totalitarian ideologies provided their interests. Nazism, communism...
1930-40 in Turkey had got strong crisis. And this time period Turkey closed economy and there was tight fiscal policy. Ismet Inonu kept out the Turkey second world war. This strategy was right and very important step for Turkey future.


U.S.A., European Countries, Japan, China and European countries and G-20 countries did many important economic policy to their home countries.
- Intervention in the financial system.
- Expanded the monetary policy. Interest rates in developed countries approached to 0. It was prevented with abundant supply of liquidity. Financial sector reform was initiated.
- Expansionary fiscal policy.
The world economy has experienced in recent years, the greatest stagnation. Developing countries were afraid the crisis will affect the themselves. The IMF' s money-making power was multiplied by 3. Developing countries left the crisis quickly. Recovery was rapidly. Crisis in South Asia and India have never been. China has 10% rising rate. Growth was 8% in India. The average growth rate in developing countries more than 3 times. This is better than developed countries.


G20 countries, April 3 , 2009 meeting was important in London. And 3 main subjects were determine:
- Cost of the expansion policy
-  Liquidity in the monetary policy  and  continued the interest rate is 0
- Finance regulation
- Fiscal policy must be compatible with all countries.


In 2009 ; 2 quarter,  the crisis stopped and the growth has began. Herewith, production has increased. Stocks improved. Negative growth of Turkey because of the psychological panic. When the panic over again continued growth. Public debt ratio increased in developed countries. Greece small country for this reason a narrow tax base. Public debt crisis occurred  in Greece. Developed countries have government debt and pose a problem. There were large public deficits in developed countries. In the United States unemployment rate is currently 9.5%. And it is long-term unemployment.
There is social pressure in Europe and  already high unemployment in Europe. There is also fear of the growth will decrease. Monetary policy was successful and it has stopped the panic. In real terms interest is negative rate, zero. 0 of the nominal interest rate and it does not fall under this number. The state, treasures can buy bond directly. But it has a limit. There are a lot of liquidity in the market.
Does the liquidity preference or trump?


The fiscal policy expanded. US budget deficit was 11%. The border of fiscal policy.
Developing countries continues growth. China 10 %, India 8 % , Turkey 7 %. These are rapid growth number of countries. And In addition this countries the economy of Brazil  improving.
These countries constitute 65 % of the world economy:
- United States
- European Countries
- Japan
The remaining 35%: creates the developing countries.
The share of developing countries are small. For this reason they are not affect the world economy.
If US has a growth, it will affect the all over the world.


There are 3 important factors for the world economy


- First one is ‘’ Create the Coordination and Common Policies ‘’
Principally; countries should work together. Each country's shouldn't think to own interest. Collective policy is ideal for it. Everyone cannot  increase the their net profits. Because our world has got limit. We are living only this planet. We can't exports the others planet or space. USA and Europe would not be different policies. Each country must be effective supervision and support.


- Second essential step is ‘’ Eliminate Uncertainty ‘’
The unemployment rate is surplus and also have increase debt. Households and companies want to know the tax rate for 4-5 years. If you do not say the tax rate, it will be uncertainty. Investment and consumption are reduced. Exchange rate policy and fiscal policy must be together. USA has got very low interest rates on government bonds.The most important issue is the health care system in USA. Because it has got the largest gaps. Market and policy are creating panic in the USA.
United States of America should reduce the money spent to defense. China and Germany should support domestic demand.


- Finally, third subject is ‘’ Income distribution ‘’
Ethical, political, social, and justice should be equal. Inequality makes unhappy society. Income distribution and macroeconomics have a direct relationship. The upper tier is very rich of an income distribution. U.S.A., China, India and Asian Countries have got this situation. European Countries has got different case.


In USA,1972, 1 % of the population have got 9 % revenue. Now, this percentage is increase the 24 %. In addition, 0.1 % of the population; they have got 11 % on the revenue.
Percentage of the households in China: 36 % and the share of the labour is 40 %. That have effective demand. Household have got many debt in the USA. China constantly trying to export. China has less demand in the domestic market but they have a lot of demand in foreign markets. This name is demand imbalance. Strong corporation do not have the problem of financing.
Productivity is increasing. But balanced household,increase in revenues and wide-growth balanced are the most important factor. We need sustainable growth.


* Causes of crisis in the USA:
- Excessive borrowing
- Liquidity
- Real Estate Sector
- Political Structure


For long-term savings, we should increase the savings rate. Financial regulation is the first step for the achievement.We must move long-term.