THE CUSTOMS UNION IN THE CONTEXT OF EU-TURKEY RELATIONS: AN EVALUATION OF CURRENT DEBATES

Authors : Muzaffer DARTAN, Emirhan GÖRAL

Pages : 1-30

View : 19 | Download : 20

Publication Date : 2016-12-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :With the Decision No 1/95, EC - Turkey Association Council put the Customs  Union between Turkey and the EU into effect, and there have been questions  concerning its scope and functioning since then. With the increasing liberalization of trade at global scale , the EU has concluded trade agreements  with third countries and blocs, which in turn jeopardize Turkey`s rights and  privileges gained by the Customs Union. In this respect, this paper analyzes the  current problems of the Customs Union with reference to th e primary documents of  EU - Turkey relations and offers recommendations. The first part presents some details of the Ankara Agreement, which c onstitutes the basis for  EU - Turkey  relations. The following part analyzes challenges derived from the  structure of t he association relations.  Turkey`s absence within the consulting  and decision - making processes and gaps in the dispute resolution mechanisms are the two main challenges that complicate  EU - Turkey relations. This paper argues that free trade agreements with third countries, the question of visa for Turkish nationals, and transport quota implemented to Turkish vehicles  constitute the main obstacles against the proper functioning of the Customs Union. Therefore, the inclusion of Turkey to the decisions related  to the  customs union is necessary for a viable solution. Furthermore, this study  stresses the importance of abolition of the visa regime for business purposes.  Last but not least, this paper assesses that transportation quotas are in strict contradiction w ith the idea of a common market. In short, all these issues should be covered by a revision agreement since  EU - Turkey relations has a sociological perspective as well as its economic and political aspects.
Keywords : Customs Union, Accession Negotiations, Visa Problem for Turkish Citizens, Transportation Quotas, EU Trade Agreements with Third Countries