What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to analyze the concept of privileged partnership between Türkiye and the European Union, investigating historical and contemporary challenges.

July 16, 2026Open Access

European Union, Türkiye, and Privileged Partnership: Historical Roots, Legal Framework, and Contemporary Challenges

EAEkrem Yasar AkcaySuleyman Demirel University

Key Points

This study aims to analyze the concept of privileged partnership between Türkiye and the European Union, investigating historical and contemporary challenges.
Conducted a comparative analysis of Türkiye’s privileged partnership with the EU and models from Norway, Switzerland, and Tunisia.
Reviewed political discourse around the legal framework and implications of privileged partnerships in EU relations.
Explored historical roots and fluctuating political dynamics between Türkiye and the EU.
Identified that the notion of privileged partnership has negative connotations in Türkiye, suggesting a desire to keep it outside EU decision-making.
Showed that Türkiye has historically operated as a de facto privileged partner through agreements like the Ankara Agreement and Customs Union.
Highlighted that the privileged partnership model indicates EU hesitancy concerning Türkiye’s full accession.

Abstract

Türkiye has pursued European Union membership since its initial application in 1959. Despite fluctuations in political and economic relations, full membership has consistently remained a central state policy, featured in the programs of almost every government. From the early 2000s, however, certain political circles in European Union member states, particularly in Germany, France, and Austria, have promoted the idea of a privileged partnership as an alternative to accession. While this proposal was not formally accepted by either Türkiye or European Union institutions, it sparked intense debates about its definition, legal framework, and practical implications. Some stakeholders even claimed that Türkiye has functioned as a privileged partner from the beginning, given its long-standing association with the Union through the Ankara Agreement and the Customs Union. The ambiguity of the term privileged partnership has made it controversial in Türkiye–European Union relations. Although the notion of privilege generally conveys positive connotations, in Türkiye’s case it has acquired a negative meaning, perceived as a way to keep Türkiye permanently outside the European decision-making mechanisms while maintaining economic and political dependence. This study introduces a novel comparative analysis between Türkiye’s potential privileged partnership with the European Union and similar models applied to Norway, Switzerland, and Tunisia. It investigates the concept of privileged partnership within European Union discourse and compares its general application with its specific implications for Türkiye. The privileged partnership model reflects both the European Union’s internal constraints and its hesitations about Türkiye’s accession. Ultimately, the analysis highlights why a seemingly cooperative framework has become problematic and politically sensitive in the context of Türkiye–European Union relationships.

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