EU customs union with Turkey

 

SUMMARY OF:

Decision No 1/95 of the EC-Turkey Association Council — implementing the final phase of the customs union

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DECISION?

It sets out the rules for implementing the final phase of the customs union between the EU and Turkey. It is the first substantial functioning customs union with a non-EU country.

KEY POINTS

What does the Customs Union require?

• Turkey promises to adopt the EU’s common customs tariff (CCT) for most industrial products and industrial components of processed agricultural products.
• In its relations with non-EU countries, Turkey has committed itself to applying rules and implementing measures which are very similar to those of the EU’s trade policy.
• Free competition — Turkey has to ensure that its competition rules are compatible with those of the EU and that those rules are applied effectively.
• Both parties have committed themselves to remove all customs duties, quantitative restrictions* (along with measures that have the same effect) and charges on trade in industrial goods with each other.

Further developments

• The European Commission published a roadmap in 2015 with the aim of starting preparations to modernise the EU-Turkey customs union. It provided an overview of potential options for enhancing bilateral trade relations and upgrading the customs union.
• In December 2016, the Commission adopted its recommendation to the Council on negotiating directives for the modernisation of the customs union with Turkey.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DECISION APPLY?

It has applied since 31 December 1995.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

• ‘Turkey’ on the European Commission's website.

* KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENT

Decision No 1/95 of the EC-Turkey Association Council of 22 December 1995 on implementing the final phase of the Customs Union (OJ L 35, 13.2.1996, pp. 1-46)

last update 30.01.2017