Turkey's EU Membership
EU relations and membership process from 1963 to present
EU Membership Process
Turkey started the EU process by signing an Association Agreement with the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1963. Turkey, which gained candidate country status in 1999, started negotiations in 2005 but is not yet a full member.
Current Status
Candidate Country Status
Turkey has been an EU candidate country since 1999. Negotiations started in 2005 but the process has slowed down for various reasons.
History of Turkey-EU Relations
European Economic Community Foundation
EEC (European Economic Community) was established. Turkey was not yet a member.
Association Agreement
Ankara Agreement was signed between Turkey and EEC. This agreement started Turkey's EU process.
Full Membership Application
Turkey applied for full membership to EEC.
Candidate Country Status
Turkey was given candidate country status at the Helsinki Summit.
Negotiation Process Started
EU membership negotiations started between Turkey and the EU.
Negotiation Process Slowed
The negotiation process slowed down due to various political and economic reasons.
Current EU Members (27 countries as of 2025)
Founding members (1957)
Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg.
Later members
1973: Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom. 1981: Greece. 1986: Spain, Portugal. 1995: Austria, Finland, Sweden. 2004: Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia. 2007: Bulgaria, Romania. 2013: Croatia.
Potential Advantages of EU Membership
Economic Integration
Single market, free movement, trade facilitation and economic growth opportunities.
Social and Political Rights
Citizenship rights, education, health and social security standards.
International Prestige
Harmony with European values and standards, international prestige.
Challenges of EU Membership
Economic Adaptation
Economic reforms and structural changes required for adaptation to EU standards.
Political Conditions
Adaptation to political criteria such as democracy, human rights, rule of law.
Cultural and Social Adaptation
Adaptation to European values and social standards.
Summary Assessment
Turkey is a country that has been in close relations with the EU since 1963 and gained candidate country status in 1999.
The EU membership process offers Turkey important opportunities in economic, social and political areas.
However, the membership process also brings various economic, political and cultural challenges.
Today, Turkey-EU relations continue to develop on the basis of mutual interest and cooperation.