The Ankara Agreement: What is it and why is it important?

The Ankara Agreement, also known as the Agreement Associating Turkey with the European Economic Community, was signed on September 12, 1963, between Turkey and the then European Economic Community (EEC). This agreement was aimed at creating a partnership between Turkey and the EEC, which would lead to gradual integration and eventually result in Turkey becoming a member of the EEC.

The agreement was a significant milestone in Turkey`s relations with the European Union (EU). It marked the beginning of a long process of integration, which is still ongoing. The Ankara Agreement provided for the establishment of a customs union between Turkey and the EEC, which was a crucial step towards economic integration.

Under the agreement, Turkish goods were granted preferential access to the EEC market, while EEC goods were granted preferential access to the Turkish market. This led to an increase in trade between Turkey and the EEC, and also helped to modernize and diversify Turkey`s economy. The agreement also created opportunities for Turkish businesses to invest in the EEC countries, and vice versa.

The Ankara Agreement was also significant because it recognized Turkey as a European country. This was an important step towards Turkey`s eventual membership in the EU, which remains a contentious issue to this day. Turkey`s application for membership was submitted in 1987, and it has been a candidate country since 1999. However, progress has been slow due to various political and economic factors.

Despite the challenges, the Ankara Agreement remains an important symbol of Turkey`s relations with the EU. The customs union established under the agreement is still in place, and it has been expanded to cover a wider range of goods. Turkey`s integration with the EU has also continued, with the signing of additional agreements and the adoption of EU regulations.

In conclusion, the Ankara Agreement was a significant milestone in Turkey`s relations with the EU. It marked the beginning of a long process of integration, which has led to increased trade and investment between Turkey and the EU. The customs union established under the agreement remains in place, and it is an important tool for promoting economic integration. Despite the challenges, the Ankara Agreement remains a symbol of the close ties between Turkey and the EU, and it is an important part of Turkey`s history and identity.