Turkey- European Union association relations date back to the signing of the Ankara Agreement in 1963. The main aim of these relations has always been Turkey' s eventual full membership to the European Union. One of the most important turning points of Turkey - EU relations is the completion of the Custom Union.

Turks understand the accession negotiations will be hard but at the end Turkey'll have internationally accepted norms and standards in all the areas covered by the EU acquis, and become an European Union member.

Turkey pays utmost attention to the implementation of the political reforms, sustain the improvement in economy, consruct an effective administrative structure, focus on a two - way communication strategy in order to help European Union nationals understand Turkey and Turkish nationals understand the European Union, and take all the measures to manage this process in the best way possible.

Key Milestones in European Union - Turkey Relations Include

1987 Turkey submits application for full membership on 14 April.

1993 The EU and Turkey Customs Union negotiations start.

1996 The Customs Union between Turkey and the EU takes effect on 1 January.

1999 At the Helsinki Summit in December, the European Council gives Turkey the status of candidate country for EU membership, following the Commission's recommendation in its second Regular Report on Turkey.

2001 The European Council adopts the EU-Turkey Accession Partnership on 8 March, providing a road map for Turkey̢۪s EU accession process. On 19 March, the Turkish Government adopts the NPAA, the National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis (acquis means EU law), reflecting the Accession Partnership.

2001 At the Copenhagen Summit, in September, the European Council decides to increase significantly EU financial support through what is now called "pre-accession instrument" (IPA).

2004 On 17 December, the European Council decides to open membership talks with Turkey.

2005 Accession Negotiations open on 3 October.

2007 In November the European Commission presented to the European Council the Regular Report concerning Turkey's accession negotiations.