Subject Guide
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European Union and Turkey
Basic information on the European Union
Basic information on the European Union
The EU is a unique economic and political partnership between 27 European countries that together cover much of the continent.
It was created in the aftermath of the Second World War. The first steps were to foster economic cooperation: the idea being that countries who trade with one another become economically interdependent and so more likely to avoid conflict.
Since then, the EU has developed into a huge single market with the euro as its common currency. What began as a purely economic union has evolved into an organisation spanning all policy areas, from development aid to environment.
It has delivered half a century of peace, stability, and prosperity, helped raise living standards, and launched a single European currency. Thanks to the abolition of border controls between EU countries, people can travel freely throughout most of the continent. And it's also become much easier to live and work abroad in Europe.
The EU is based on the rule of law. This means that everything that it does is founded on treaties, voluntarily and democratically agreed by all member countries. These binding agreements set out the EU's goals in its many areas of activity.
One of its main goals is to promote human rights both internally and around the world. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights: these are the core values of the EU. Since the 2009 signing of the Treaty of Lisbon, the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights brings all these rights together in a single document. The EU's institutions are legally bound to uphold them, as are EU governments whenever they apply EU law.
The single market is the EU's main economic engine, enabling most goods, services, money and people to move freely. Another key objective is to develop this huge resource to ensure that Europeans can draw the maximum benefit.
As it continues to grow, the EU remains focused on making its governing institutions more transparent and democratic. More powers are being given to the directly elected European Parliament, while national parliaments are being given a greater role, working alongside the European institutions. In turn, European citizens have an ever-increasing number of channels for taking part in the political process.
Schuman Decleration
Declaration of 9 May 1950
This is the full text of the proposal, which was presented by the French foreign minister Robert Schuman and which led to the creation of what is now the European Union.
World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.
The contribution which an organized and living Europe can bring to civilization is indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. In taking upon herself for more than 20 years the role of champion of a united Europe, France has always had as her essential aim the service of peace. A united Europe was not achieved and we had war.
Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity. The coming together of the nations of Europe requires the elimination of the age-old opposition of France and Germany. Any action taken must in the first place concern these two countries.
With this aim in view, the French Government proposes that action be taken immediately on one limited but decisive point.
It proposes that Franco-German production of coal and steel as a whole be placed under a common High Authority, within the framework of an organization open to the participation of the other countries of Europe. The pooling of coal and steel production should immediately provide for the setting up of common foundations for economic development as a first step in the federation of Europe, and will change the destinies of those regions which have long been devoted to the manufacture of munitions of war, of which they have been the most constant victims.
The solidarity in production thus established will make it plain that any war between France and Germany becomes not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible. The setting up of this powerful productive unit, open to all countries willing to take part and bound ultimately to provide all the member countries with the basic elements of industrial production on the same terms, will lay a true foundation for their economic unification.
This production will be offered to the world as a whole without distinction or exception, with the aim of contributing to raising living standards and to promoting peaceful achievements. With increased resources Europe will be able to pursue the achievement of one of its essential tasks, namely, the development of the African continent. In this way, there will be realised simply and speedily that fusion of interest which is indispensable to the establishment of a common economic system; it may be the leaven from which may grow a wider and deeper community between countries long opposed to one another by sanguinary divisions.
By pooling basic production and by instituting a new High Authority, whose decisions will bind France, Germany and other member countries, this proposal will lead to the realization of the first concrete foundation of a European federation indispensable to the preservation of peace.
To promote the realization of the objectives defined, the French Government is ready to open negotiations on the following bases.
The task with which this common High Authority will be charged will be that of securing in the shortest possible time the modernization of production and the improvement of its quality; the supply of coal and steel on identical terms to the French and German markets, as well as to the markets of other member countries; the development in common of exports to other countries; the equalization and improvement of the living conditions of workers in these industries.
To achieve these objectives, starting from the very different conditions in which the production of member countries is at present situated, it is proposed that certain transitional measures should be instituted, such as the application of a production and investment plan, the establishment of compensating machinery for equating prices, and the creation of a restructuring fund to facilitate the rationalization of production. The movement of coal and steel between member countries will immediately be freed from all customs duty, and will not be affected by differential transport rates. Conditions will gradually be created which will spontaneously provide for the more rational distribution of production at the highest level of productivity.
In contrast to international cartels, which tend to impose restrictive practices on distribution and the exploitation of national markets, and to maintain high profits, the organization will ensure the fusion of markets and the expansion of production.
The essential principles and undertakings defined above will be the subject of a treaty signed between the States and submitted for the ratification of their parliaments. The negotiations required to settle details of applications will be undertaken with the help of an arbitrator appointed by common agreement. He will be entrusted with the task of seeing that the agreements reached conform with the principles laid down, and, in the event of a deadlock, he will decide what solution is to be adopted.
The common High Authority entrusted with the management of the scheme will be composed of independent persons appointed by the governments, giving equal representation. A chairman will be chosen by common agreement between the governments. The Authority's decisions will be enforceable in France, Germany and other member countries. Appropriate measures will be provided for means of appeal against the decisions of the Authority.
A representative of the United Nations will be accredited to the Authority, and will be instructed to make a public report to the United Nations twice yearly, giving an account of the working of the new organization, particularly as concerns the safeguarding of its objectives.
The institution of the High Authority will in no way prejudge the methods of ownership of enterprises. In the exercise of its functions, the common High Authority will take into account the powers conferred upon the International Ruhr Authority and the obligations of all kinds imposed upon Germany, so long as these remain in force.
https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/history-eu/1945-59/schuman-declaration-may-1950_en
Turkey EU relations
Türkiye-European Union Relations
The most important aspect of the long-standing Türkiye-EU relations is its up and down character from the very beginning, and the determination of the parties to continue the relationship within the framework of membership perspective despite occasional crises. In spite of the difficulties in negotiation process, the EU membership ultimately remains as one of the most important strategic goals of Türkiye.
Historical development of Türkiye-EU relations reveals that this relationship has been directly affected by changes in the international system and European integration. The Cold War and developments in its aftermath were determining factors in Türkiye-EU relations in the past. Similarly, today Türkiye-EU relations is affected by transformations in the international system, recent developments in our region and the crises faced by the EU.
Last example of this was seen in 2015 with the transformation of the human tragedy in Syria into a refugee crisis for the EU. Thanks to Türkiye-EU togetherness and 18 March Statement, the EU could overcome the refugee crisis. Türkiye-EU relations, which remained static until 2015, regained momentum. The 29 November 2015, 7 March 2016 and 18 March 2016 Türkiye-EU Summits were held. The Summits resulted in important decisions, such as revitalizing of the accession negotiations, strengthening of the high-level dialogues in crucial areas particularly political, economy and energy dialogues, cooperation on fight against terrorism, burden-sharing in migration management, acceleration of the Visa Liberalization Dialogue and upgrading of the Customs Union.
The most important reflection of decisions taken at the Summits were opening of the Chapter 17-Economic and Monetary Policy and Chapter 33-Financial and Budgetary Provisions, which were blocked before. Besides, through the one-for-one deal set out in the Türkiye-EU Statement of 18 March, loss of lives has been prevented and the migrant flow to the EU has been decreased as a result of Türkiye’s efforts to close the Aegean route.
However, EU’s cold and critical attitude in the aftermath of the heinous 15 July coup attempt produced a confidence crisis. The fact that EU did not fully understand the scope of FETO terrorist organization and criticized necessary measures taken by Türkiye led to a period of weakening of dialogue.
The most important step for overcoming this period and normalization of relations was Varna Summit. Türkiye-EU Summit was held on 26 March 2018 with the participation of President Erdoğan, President of European Council Donald Tusk, President of European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov. Varna Summit was beneficial to re-establish the confidence in Türkiye-EU relations. Importance of Türkiye-EU togetherness was confirmed by leaders and candidate status of Türkiye was underlined at the highest level. Moreover at the Summit, Türkiye remind the commitments of the EU on 18 March Statement and stated its expectations about full membership perspective, fight against terrorism, Visa Liberalization Dialogue, voluntary humanitarian scheme, Facility for Refugees, upgrading of Customs Union and Cyprus issue.
However, in the General Affairs Council Conclusions of 26 June 2018, it was stated that ‘‘Türkiye has been moving further away from the European Union. Türkiye's accession negotiations have therefore effectively come to a standstill and no further chapters can be considered for opening or closing and no further work towards the modernisation of the EU-Türkiye Customs Union is foreseen.’’ Although candidate status of Türkiye was underlined in the preamble, this conclusion harmed Türkiye-EU relations. Besides, the Foreign Affairs Council of 15 July 2019 decided to adopt some measures regarding Türkiye’s activities in Eastern Mediterranean and this decision negatively affected Türkiye-EU relations, also.
Nevertheless, Türkiye continues to work for the EU process despite all political obstacles. A new period started with the Presidential System and the state of emergency was lifted on 19 July 2018. The Reform Action Group (RAG) Meetings were held on 29 August 2018, 11 December 2018 and 9 May 2019 with the participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Justice, Minister of Treasury and Finance and Minister of Interior. The RAG Meeting of 9 May was the first meeting of the Reform Action Group chaired by the President and held on Europe Day. In the meetings, the determination to accelerate the reform process was shared with the public and many important decisions are taken regarding political reform process.
The Judicial Reform Strategy, which was drafted in line with RAG decisions, was announced to public by the President on 30 May 2019. Moreover, the Ministry of Justice started to work on updating Action Plan on Human Rights, which is also an unofficial benchmark of Chapter 23-on Judiciary and Fundamental Rights.
Besides, Türkiye continues its works on Visa Liberalisation Dialogue and upgrading of Customs Union which will be beneficial for both Türkiye and the EU. Regarding Visa Liberalisation Dialogue, the European Commission has officially confirmed the fulfilment of 66 out of the 72 benchmarks of the Visa Liberalisation Roadmap as of 8 December 2018. There are six benchmarks remained to fulfil. As a follow-up to decisions of the RAG meetings, working groups were established for each remaining benchmark. As regards upgrading of Customs Union, although it has been indicated in the 29 November 2015 Statement that negotiations would start by the end of 2016, the Commission asked for a mandate to launch talks with Türkiye only at the end of 2016. Upgrading of Customs Union is a “win-win” process for Türkiye and the EU.
As part of the EU-Türkiye 18 March 2016 Statement, the EU committed to contribute 3+3 billion euros to support Syrian refugees in Türkiye. Facility for Refugees in Türkiye (FRIT) was set up for the transfer of mentioned 6 billion euros. The operational funds of 3 billion euros have been fully committed and contracted by the end of 2017. In June 2018, the European Council agreed on how to finance the second tranche of 3 billion euros of the Facility, with 2 billion euros financed from the EU budget and the remaining 1 billion euros by member states' contributions.
Dialogues are continuing between Türkiye and the EU in all areas and in all levels. The High-Level Dialogue Meetings on key policy areas such as economy, energy, transportation, counter-terrorism and foreign policy are viewed as platforms for enhancing and exploring the vast potential of Türkiye-EU relations, which will support the accession process. Lastly, the High-Level Transport Dialogue meeting was held on 15 January 2019 and the High-Level Economic Dialogue meeting was held on 28 February 2019.
Moreover, association organs, which constitute the institutional structure of Türkiye-EU relations, are important platforms to strengthen Türkiye-EU relations. The Türkiye-EU Association Committee meeting was held on 28 November 2018. In addition, Türkiye-EU Association Council was held on 15 March 2019 in Brussels after an interval of almost four years. Besides, the 77th meeting of the Türkiye-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) was held on 26 April 2018 in Brussels and the 78th JPC meeting was held on 19-20 December 2018 in Ankara.
In a period in which risks and uncertainties are increasing in the international arena and multiple problems need to be solved in the EU, the EU need to develop new and strong cooperation relationships and strengthen current partnerships more than ever. For this reason, Türkiye’s EU membership will continue to be important and necessary.