SETimes.comTurkey -- timeline of events
15/12/2006
Setimes.com
1952
Turkey joins NATO.
1959
Turkey applies for associate membership in the European Economic Community (EEC).
1963
The "Ankara Agreement" -- a formal deal establishing an association between Turkey and the EEC -- is signed on September 12th.
1970
A protocol is signed in November, setting a timetable for abolishing quotas and tariffs on goods traded between Turkey and the EEC.
1980
Ties with the EU are suspended after a coup in Turkey, but are restored following democratic elections three years later.
1987
Turkey applies for membership in the European Community (EC).
1989
Citing Cyprus and other issues, the European Commission decides not to begin accession talks with Turkey, while confirming that eventual membership is a goal.
1995
Turkey enters a customs union with the European Union (EU).
1999
The European Council places Turkey on equal footing with other membership candidates. Three year later, it says accession talks can open as soon as Turkey meets the Copenhagen Political Criteria.
2004
The EU reaches an agreement to begin accession talks with Turkey. In October 2005, the negotiations get under way.
2006
A dispute over extending Turkey's customs protocol with the EU to Cyprus leads to the suspension of eight chapters in the accession talks.
2007
The Justice and Development Party wins Turkey's general elections, securing a majority in parliament and dealing a political blow to the secular opposition, which had warned of Turkey's "Islamization". Abdullah Gul becomes Turkey's president.
2008
Istanbul's chief prosecutor submits an indictment charging scores of military personnel, academics, journalists and political figures with membership in a secret organisation known as Ergenekon. The group is alleged to have plotted terrorist actions in a bid to destabilize Turkey and bring down the government.
2009
In an historic accord, Turkey and Armenia pledge to normalise diplomatic ties and open their shared border.
2010
Parliament approves large scale constitutional amendments despite a strong reaction from the opposition. The amendments include restructuring top judicial institutions, causing concerns on judicial independence. The opposition takes the amendments to the Constitutional Court to have them annulled.