TURKEY AND THE EU: THE NEGOTIATED WAY TO MEMBERSHIP (1959–1989)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the negotiation process between Turkey and the European Union (EU) in 1959-1989, which is of great importance for understanding the current relations between the parties; the study of the key stages, mechanisms and strategies that determined the development of cooperation between Turkey and the EU during this period. The opinion is expressed that the negotiation process between Turkey and the European Union on Turkey's accession to the union is one of the longest and most complex integration stories in modern international politics. The article applies historical and analytical approaches that allow a deeper understanding of the context and specifics of the negotiation process. The main stages of Turkey's integration path are highlighted, including the signing of the Ankara Agreement of 1963, the Additional Protocol of 1970 and the Association Convention of 1971. It is noted that during this period, institutional mechanisms were created to support the dialogue, including bodies responsible for monitoring the implementation of agreements and coordinating integration processes. The political, economic and geopolitical obstacles that influenced the course of the negotiations are analyzed. The focus is on clarifying the main obstacles and challenges on Turkey's path to potential membership in the European Union during the outlined period. It is stated that the negotiations between Turkey and the EU during the indicated period laid the foundation for further dialogue, despite significant challenges and disagreements between the parties. It is proven that the period from 1959 to 1989 became important for the formation of the main approaches and mechanisms of cooperation, which largely determined the further development of bilateral relations. Thus, between 1959 and 1989, Turkey laid the foundation for integration into the European Union, which became an important component of its foreign policy and modernization strategy. The process went through several significant stages, in particular the conclusion of the Ankara Agreement of 1963 and the Additional Protocol of 1970, which defined the framework for cooperation and gradual rapprochement of the parties. The negotiation process of 1959-1989, despite the fact that it developed along complex trajectories and was characterized by a wave-like nature, became the basis for subsequent stages of integration, providing an understanding of the difficulties and opportunities for interaction between Turkey and the EU.