Commission proposes to modernise the Customs Union with Turkey

On 20 December 2016, the European Commission asked the Council of the European Union for a mandate to launch talks with Turkey to modernise the existing 20-year-old EU-Turkey Customs Union.

The upgrade of the EU-Turkey trade relation forms an essential part of the efforts made by the EU and Turkey to deepen their relations in key areas of joint interest identified at the EU-Turkey Summit of 29 November 2015 and in the EU-Turkey statement of 18 March 2016. By making this proposal, the Commission continued to deliver on the commitments it has made.

• Primary Source

Deutsche Welle, 21.12.16: Business Turkish business world expects fair commerce from the EU http://dw.com/p/2Ugod

European Commission: DG Trade: Policy: Countries and Regions: Turkey http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/turkey/

Politico, 21.12.16: EU seeks to appease Erdoğan with trade deal http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-seeks-to-appease-erdogan-with-trade-deal/

Politico, 21.12.16: Commission proposes upgrading EU-Turkey trade relations http://www.politico.eu/article/commission-proposes-upgrade-of-eu-turkey-customs-union/

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