ABSTRACT
The chapter analyses relations in the period from the Turkey's membership application until the completion of the customs union between Turkey and the European Union (EU) in 1995. The application for an association relationship with the European Economic Community (EEC) was also in part prompted by economic considerations, including the benefits of preferential market access and the need for economic aid to implement its economic development programme and to reduce economic disparities between it and the EEC countries. An additional reason for Turkish criticism regarding non-performance by the Community side was the fact that the fourth Financial Protocol, agreed on in 1981 in the framework of the Association Agreement, never entered into force due to the EC's inability to prevent the Greek veto. In accordance with the Commission's proposal made in its opinion on the Turkish membership application regarding reviving relations in the existing association framework, the Council requested the Commission to prepare and present a comprehensive package of measures.
