Signing of Additional and Financial Protocols Annexed to the Association Agreement between EEC and Turkey

The EU and Turkey have concluded an Association Agreement as early as 1963 (September 12), which aims to strengthen economic cooperation and bilateral trade relations, taking into account the faster development of Turkey at economic and social levels.
Among other things, the Association Agreement included, based on mutual obligations, the gradual establishment of a customs union between Turkey and the Community and the alignment of their economic policies to ensure the proper functioning of the association and the development of necessary common actions for this purpose.
On November 23, 1970, an additional protocol (regarding the transitional period of the customs union) and a financial protocol (for the country’s development) were signed, which were annexed to the Association Agreement between the EEC and Turkey.
The EU-Turkey customs union has been in effect since 1995. However, in the 2023 annual progress review, the Council calls on Turkey to fulfill its obligations and implement the EU-Turkey customs union, as well as to ensure its effective application in all EU member states.