International Trade Law News

Last Wednesday, October 6, 2004, the European Commission issued a 186 page report examining Turkey's progress towards European Union accession. The European Commission found that in view of the overall progress of reforms attained and provided that Turkey brings into force certain outstanding legislation, the Commission considers that "Turkey sufficiently fulfils the political criteria and recommends that accession negotiations be opened. "

The Commission suggests a three pillar strategy to approach the negotiations: (1) strengthened cooperation to reinforce and support the reform process in Turkey; (2) negotiations adapted to the specific challenges related to Turkey's accession, and finally; and (3) a substantially strengthened political and cultural dialogue bringing people together from EU Member States and Turkey.

The European Commission's report on Turkey can be viewed at the following link:
www.americanturkishcouncil.org/files/reports/04.10.06.regular.report.on.turkey.progress.towards.accession.2004.pdf.