ULUSLARARASI EKONOMİK SORUNLAR

N. Tolga TUNCER
responsibility to align itself with the Common Customs Tariff and the preferential trade
arrangements of the Community. 4
It should be underlined that agricultural products were excluded from the customs
union by stating that “an additional period is required to put in place the conditions
necessary to achieve free movement of [agricultural products]” 5 Except the agricultural
products, all other types of products are included in the customs union between Turkey
and EU.
2.2 Obligations Stemming From The Accession Process
Turkey’s obligations in terms of trade policy stemming from the accession process
are laid down in different documents. In general, however, Turkey’s obligations are
summarised in the accession partnership document 2006/35/EC. According to that
document, Turkey should not only abolish the remaining barriers in front of joining the
single market, but fully harmonise its trade policy with the EU. It is stated within the
short-term priorities that Turkey should complete alignment with EU trade policy. In
addition, it is made clear that Turkey should “…progressively align policies toward
third countries and positions within international organisations with those of the EU
and its member states…”
The last statement is of significant importance for our practical purpose. Aligning
policies within the international organisations naturally includes positions in the WTO
negotiations. Nevertheless, as we are going to see, Turkey and EU’s negotiating
positions may not always coincide. In addition, a recent development which is especially
important for our issue is that the statement mentioned has been adopted as an opening
benchmark for the “external relations” chapter of the negotiations in the latest EU
Council meeting in Brussels in December 2007.
3. The Doha Round
The Doha Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations were launched in WTO in 2001
and there is a “good will” by the major negotiating countries to finalise the Round
within 2010. Like the earlier Uruguay Round, the Doha Round comprises the single
undertaking principle. This means that the Members will not have the opportunity to
opt out for any of the topics negotiated but rather will have to sign the all package of
agreements in take it or leave fashion. This makes the balance between topic extremely
4 The Association Council Decision 1/95 Article 13 &14
5 The Association Council Decision 1/95 Article 24
Uluslararası Ekonomik Sorunlar 21