1. EU-Turkey relations (1995- present)
1997 Luxembourg European Council recognizes Turkey’s eligibility but does not grant candidate status.
1999 Helsinki European Council: Turkey granted candidate status.
2000 Commission prepares Accession Partnership document
2001 Turkey submits National Program for the Adoption of the EU acquis
2002 Copenhagen European Council: Turkey’s candidacy will be reviewed in 2004, accession negotiations will start ‘without delay’ if the political aspects of Copenhagen criteria have been fulfilled.
2003 Commission adopts revised Accession Partnership Document
2003 Turkey revises its National Program
2004 Commission recommends the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey

2. EU-Turkey Relations (1995 to present)
2004 European Council decides to start accession negotiations with Turkey on 3 October 2005 provided that Turkey signs an Additional Protocol, extending the Customs Union agreement to ten new states, including Cyprus
29 June 2005 Commission releases Negotiating Framework for Turkey’s accession
29 July 2005 Turkey signs Additional Protocol, simultaneously issuing a declaration that it does not amount to recognition of Cyprus
3 October 2005 negotiations are formally opened.
20 October October 2006 screening process.
12 June 2006 negotiations on Research and Development (temporarily) closed.
29 November 2006 Commission recommends to partially suspend membership negotiations with Turkey
11 December 2006 General Affairs Council suspends talks with Turkey on 8 of 35 negotiating chapters.
Negotiations begin on Industrial and Enterprise policy, Economic and Monetary Policy, Statistics, and Financial Control.

3. EU Decision-making European Council –Intergovernmental Conference
Decides on common positions by unanimity
Role of Presidency
European Commission
Progress Reports
Prepares draft common positions
European Parliament
Assent to Accession treaty
Reports
Ratification
Parliamentary approval or referenda

4. European Parliament views

5. European Parliament views

8. Why Enlarge? Club perspective Community perspective
If benefits exceed the costs
Community perspective
If enlargement validates identity and values of community
Moral considerations
Justifications that rely on universal standards of justice

9. Lessons from CEE Enlargement
Resistance by some member states
Critical external events, conjectural changes
Group-based approach

10. Alternatives to Membership
Differentiation and flexibility within the EU
Opt-outs and opt-ins
Neighborhood Policy
No joint decision-making rights
Privileged Partnership
Customs Union and CFSP/ESDP
Observor status
Gradual integration
Long, possibly permanent transition periods
Joint decision-making in relevant Councils, observor status in Commission and Parliament
Legal obstacles
Discriminatory –only for Turkey?