Customs Union between the European Union and Turkey

Turkey’s main exports to the EU and imports from the EU are predominantly industrial: up to 95% of all imports and exports . Since 1996, the gross domestic product of Turkey has increased 4 times, which makes the country one of the fastest growing economies in the world. However, at the same time (in the period 1995–2008) , Turkey’s foreign trade deficit with the EU countries doubled - and 6 times, with non-EU countries of the rest of the world. The Customs Union is considered an important factor leading to both of these events. Some experts pointed to a “vicious circle” in which profits from imports are used to purchase raw materials and prefabricated parts in Europe: in their opinion, this shows that Turkey depends on European raw materials and components.

Some commentators even argued that the Treaty on the Customs Union itself was similar to the Treaty on the surrender of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War : it also gave economic and political powers to the “union” (the Entente , in this case the EU), in which the signatory (Ottoman Empire, today - Turkey) was not a member. In particular, critics noted that Turkey, by adopting a protocol of the customs union, gave the EU the right to “manipulate” the state’s foreign economic relations; the country also agreed by default to all agreements between the EU and any non-EU country (that is, with all other countries of the world; the 16th and 55th clauses of the treaty). Turkey, joining the Customs Union, agreed not to conclude any agreements with any non-EU country without the knowledge of the European organization: otherwise the EU would have the right to intervene in such agreements and cancel them (Article 56).

It was especially noted that, having entered the union, Turkey agreed to fully comply with all laws and decisions of the European Court , in which there was not and there is not a single Turkish judge.

Turkey has opened its market for European goods. Domestic producers in the country, especially at first, found it extremely difficult to compete with Europe because of the difference in product quality. And European goods themselves came into the country without any customs duties .

Since Turkey is in a customs union with the EU, it must adjust its tariffs and duties in accordance with the requirements of European legislation. However, free trade agreements (FTA), signed by the EU itself , do not apply to Turkey - therefore, EU FTA partners can export their goods to Turkey without a duty, while keeping tariffs for Turkish goods in their possession.

During the negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TPIP), Turkey raised the issue of withdrawal from the Customs Union because of the expected economic downturn that would start in the country if American goods begin to flow into the republic duty free. In this case, Turkish goods will also continue to face American tariffs. As a result, the EU and Turkey are conducting difficult negotiations on amending the agreement on the alliance, with the aim of including Turkey in current and future European agreements.

Turkey has been an associate member of the European Community (EU) since 1964 - after the signing of the Ankara Agreement with the EEC in 1963. On April 14, 1987, Turkey applied for full membership.

The decision to consider the Turkish application was postponed until 1993, because the European Community was in the process of establishing a new “tougher” European Union. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the reunification of Germany further delayed the decision on Turkey’s membership in the EU.

At the summit in Helsinki in December 1999, Turkey received the status of a candidate country. In late 2004, the European Commission published a report with positive recommendations for the European Council, indicating Turkey’s degree of compliance with the political criteria for accession. On this basis, on 3 October 2005, the European Council decided to begin negotiations on the accession of Turkey.

In addition, Turkey is also a member of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and is therefore interested in concluding free trade agreements with all other Mediterranean partners - with the ultimate goal of creating a Euro-Mediterranean free trade zone, which was originally planned for 2010.

• European Union Customs Union
• European single market

• Kalaycı, Cemalettin; Seyfettin Artan. The Imports of Customs Union. - Eskişehir, 2009.
• Kudryashova, Yu.S. Turkey and the European Union: History, problems and prospects of interaction . - M. , 2010. - 364 p. - ISBN 978-5-89394-211-8 .
• Metin Aydoğan. Avrupa Birliğini Yaratan Nedenler ve Türkiye // ZMO. - 2012.