Turkey's relations with the European Union (Economic integration between EU and Turkey)

In October 1999 the European Commission recommended that Turkey should be considered a candidate country for EU membership, but without opening negotiations at that stage. The announcement of Turkey's candidacy resonated differently on the two sides of the Atlantic. The leading American newspapers and the American government supported Turkey's aim strongly, as an assurance that the strategically located Turkey would be fully integrated into the democratic west. Contrarily, the declaration of Turkey's candidacy to EU has divided Europeans substantially and some have reacted to the declaration of the candidacy with mixed feelings. This article provides an overview of Turkey's relations with the EU since 1959 and discusses the costs and benefits of the Customs Union with the EU. Turkey is the first country in the European integration which has joined the Customs Union without being a full member of the EU. Turkey's chances of becoming a full member of the EU.