2 April 1990

The European Community signed a commercial and economic cooperation agreement with Argentina.

28 April 1990

At the Special European Council held in Dublin, the Heads of State or Government of the Twelve took a decision to integrate a reunified Germany into the European Community.

7 May 1990

The European Council established the European Education Fund and approved a regulation for the establishment of the European Environment Agency.

29 May 1990

The Agreement establishing the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was signed in order to grant financial support to Central and East European countries.

19 June 1990

The Schengen Agreement was signed by Benelux countries, Germany and France.

20 June 1990

The European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) launched negotiations for the establishment of the European Economic Area (EEA).

1 July 1990

With the initiation of the first stage of the Economical and Monetary Union, the movement of capital became free.

4 July 1990

Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus applied for membership to the EEC.

16 July 1990

Malta applied for membership to  the EC.

17 September 1990

The PHARE Program was expanded to include Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the Democratic Republic of Germany, Romania and Yugoslavia. However, the aids granted to Yugoslavia’s were suspended later on.

3 October 1990

The Democratic Republic of Germany and the Federal Republic of Germany were united.

27 November 1990

Italy signed the Schengen Agreement.

14 December 1990

The Rome European Council provided the context for the holding of two Intergovernmental Conferences (IGC) on Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and on Political Union. (14-15 December 1990)

14 April 1991

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was established in London.

19 June 1991

The first Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe took place.

1 June 1991

Sweden applied for membership to the EC.

1 September 1991

The Fourth Lomé Convention entered into force.

The Association Council assembled for the first time since 1986. It decided to gather an Association Committee.

21 October 1991

The Council decided to establish the European Economic Area.

6 November 1991

The Commission decided to establish the European Humanitarian Aid Office.

26 November 1991

The Community joined the “Food and Agriculture Organization” (FAO).

6 December 1991

The Association Committee tried to find technical solutions to current trade issues.

9 December 1991

In Maastricht, the European Council drafted the treaty of Maastricht creating the European Union. (9-10 December 1991)

16 December 1991

The Community signed European Agreements with Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic.

17 December 1991

The European Energy Charter was signed.

23 December 1991

Albania, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined the PHARE Program.

21 January 1992

An Agreement on a Technical Cooperation Programme was signed between Turkey and the European Community.

3 February 1992

The Council approved a precautionary package to help Macedonia, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro.

7 February 1992

The Maastricht Treaty establishing the European Union and revising the Treaty establishing the EC was signed.

18 March 1992

Finland applied for membership to the EC.

1 April 1992

The Free Trade Agreement signed between Turkey and EFTA (European Free Trade Agreement) entered into force.

4 April 1992

Portuguese Escudo was introduced in the European Monetary System exchange mechanism.

2 May 1992

The agreement establishing the European Economic Area was signed.

20 May 1992

Switzerland applied for membership to the EC.

2 June 1992

Danes rejected the Maastricht Treaty in a referendum.

29 July 1992

Three regulations regarding the Mediterranean Policy were approved.

7 August 1992

The Council expanded PHARE Programme to include Slovenia.

9 November 1992

The Turkey-EC Association Council held its 33rd meeting.

25 November 1992

Norway applied for membership to the EC.

3 December 1992

The Customs Cooperation Committee met for the first time since November 1981 and held its 10th meeting.

6 December 1992

The agreement establishing the European Economic Area was rejected in Switzerland by referendum.

11 December1992

In Edinburgh, the European Council made arrangements for Denmark and decided to launch negotiations of accession for Sweden, Austria and Finland. (11-12 December 1992)

31 December 1992

Within the framework of the Customs Union preparation, Turkey  decreased its trade protection against industrial goods from EEC by 26%.

1 January 1993

The European Single Market was completed.

1 February 1993

The accession negotiations started with Austria, Finland, Sweden and a European Agreement was signed with Romania.

24 February 1993

The Customs Union Sub-Committee gathered in Brussels. (24-25 February 1993)

8 March 1993

The European Agreement was signed with Bulgaria.

1 April 1993

The Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and EFTA entered into force.

5 April 1993

Accession negotiations were launched with Norway.

18 May 1993

The EU treaty was approved by Denmark in a second referendum.

21 June 1993

In the Copenhagen European Council, the European Commission called for a long term strategy that aimed at increasing employment, competitiveness and economic growth. It was also foreseen that Austria, Sweden, Norway and Finland would join EU by 1995. The Copenhagen criteria were also determined. (21-22 June 1993)

30 June 1993

After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia joined the PHARE programme.

19 July 1993

The Council approved the “TACIS” program for independent states which were separated from the  former Soviet Union States.

22 July 1993

Turkey-EU Association Committee prepared a working program for the Customs Union.

29 October 1993

In the Brussels European Council, it was confirmed that the second stage of the Economic and Monetary Union would be initiated as foreseen on the 1st January 1994. At the Council, the framework of the action plans for the Common Foreign and Security Policy was also decided.

1 November 1993

Maastricht Treaty entered into force and the European Union was established.

8 November 1993

Turkey-EU Association Council held its 34th meeting.

5 December 1993

The Commission published a “White Paper” on economic growth, competitiveness and employment.

9 December 1993

Boris Yeltsin, Jacques Delors and Jean Luc Dehaene signed a political declaration to strengthen relations between EU and the Russian Federation.

10 December 1993

The Brussels European Council prepared the outline of an economic strategy for the short and medium term by taking into account the “White Paper” on economic growth, competitiveness and employment. (10-11 December 1993)

13 December 1993

The Council finalized the Agreement establishing the European Economic Area.

31 December 1993

Within the framework of the Customs Union, Turkey was planning to give important concessions to EU and EFTA countries within its import regime for the new year.

1 January 1994

Preparations for the European Monetary Institute started and the Agreement establishing the European Economic Area entered into force.

30 March 1994

Accession negotiations were concluded for Austria, Sweden, Finland and Norway.

31 March 1994

Hungary applied for membership to the EU.

5 April 1994

Poland applied for membership to the EU.

19 April 1994

The Council agreed on a Common Foreign and Security Policy to support the Middle East peace process.

25 May 1994

The European Investment Fund was established.

26 May 1994

The Stability Pact Conference was initiated for Central and Eastern European countries.

9 June 1994

The European Parliament elections were held. (9-12 June 1994)

12 June 1994

In Austria, 66.4% of the population voted in favor of  EU membership in a referendum.

14 June 1994

EU signed an agreement with Ukraine on partnership and cooperation.

24 June 1994

At the Corfu Summit, it was decided that Sweden, Norway, Finland and Austria would join the EU in 1995. EU signed an agreement of partnership and cooperation with Russia. (24-25 June 1994)

5 July 1994

The European Court of Human Rights banned the exports of citrus fruit and potatoes from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to the EU Members States. The Court ruled that EU Member States could only import fruits and vegetables carrying certificate of origin of the “Republic of Cyprus”. This had an embargo effect for TRNC.

18 July 1994

EU signed a Free Trade Agreement with Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

27 July 1994

The Commission published a “White Paper” on social policy.

28 September 1994   

The European Parliament froze the activities of EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee.

10 October 1994

EU signed an agreement with the African Union.

14 October 1994

57% of the population voted in favor of EU membership in a referendum in Finland.

13 November 1994

 52.5% of the population voted in favor of EU membership in a referendum in Sweden.

15 November 1994

The Council of the European Monetary Institute gathered in Frankfurt for the first time.

28 November 1994

Norwegians rejected EU membership in a referendum.

30 November 1994

The Council approved the first action plan under Justice and Home Affairs.

6 December 1994

The Council approved the Leonardo Da Vinci Programme regarding the vocational education.

 9 December 1994

In the Essen European Council, the activities that would reinforce the strategies of the “White Paper” related to employment, economic growth and competitiveness were approved. (9-10 December 1994)

14 December 1994

The European Parliament decided to suspend the activities of EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee and declared that the approval procedures should be implemented for the Customs Union.

15 December 1994

The European Parliament requested the postponement of the Association Council meeting and decided that the Customs Union would not be concluded as long as the violation of human rights continues.

17 December 1994

The European Energy Charter was signed.

19 December 1994

EU-Turkey Association Council postponed the Customs Union negotiations to 6 March 1995.

1 January 1995

Finland, Sweden and Austria joined the European Union. The number of Member States in the Union reached 15.

6 February 1995

The EU Foreign Affairs Ministers decided to agree on the Customs Union on the 6th  March and  Greece promised not to veto the Customs Union.

23 February 1995

Greece declared that it was accepting not to veto as a principle.

3 March 1995

COREPER approved the organization of a meeting between Turkey and EU within the Association Council to discuss the Customs Union.

6 March 1995

The Association Council decided to establish a Turkey-EU Customs Union in 1995.

20 March 1995

Stability Pact was signed with Central and Eastern European Countries. (20-21 March 1995)

26 March 1995

The Schengen Agreement entered into force among seven EU Member States.

5 April 1995

EU Troika visited Ankara.

28 April 1995

Austria signed the Schengen Agreement.

3 May 1995

The Commission published a “White Paper” to prepare Central and Eastern European Countries for their integration to the EU internal market. (3-10 May 1995)

12 June 1995

EU signed Association Agreements with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In addition, PHARE was extended so as to include Croatia but the decision was suspended in August 1995.

22 June 1995

Romania applied for EU membership.

27 June 1995

Slovakia applied for EU membership.

17 July 1995

EU signed an Interim Agreement with Russia, a Euro-Mediterranean Agreement with Tunisia and a cooperation Agreement with Vietnam.

26 July 1995

EU Member States signed Europol Convention to enhance  police cooperation.

27 October 1995

Latvia applied for EU membership.

30 October 1995

In the 37th meeting of Turkey-EU Association Council, it was confirmed that Turkey had implemented the required  technical conditions for the good functioning of the Customs Union within the framework of the Customs Union Decision of 1/95.

15 November 1995

EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee regained its activities.

16 November 1995

The first meeting of EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee was held in Brussels.

29 November 1995

EU signed a cooperation agreement with Nepal and a Euro - Mediterranean agreement with Israel.

7 November 1995

Estonia applied for EU membership.

27 November 1995

The Barcelona Declaration was agreed on at the Euro-Mediterranean conference.(27-28 November 1995)

12 December 1995

Lithuania applied for EU membership.

13 December 1995

Turkey-EU Customs Union agreement was approved by the European Parliament.

13 December 1995

The European Commission published a “White Paper” on energy policy.

15 December 1995

At the European Madrid Council, it was decided to launch an Intergovernmental Conference on the 29th of March 1996 and it was agreed that the Euro would be used as the unit of currency as of the 1st January 1999. (15-16 December 1995)

1 January 1996

The Customs Union between Turkey and the European Union entered into force.

17 January 1996

Czech Republic applied for EU membership.

1 February 1996

Interim Agreements signed between EU with Russia and Ukraine entered into force. 

19 February 1996

The first meeting of EU-Turkey Customs Union Joint Committee took place.

26 February 1996

EU signed the European- Mediterranean Agreement with Morocco.

6 March 1996

The Commission approved a “White Paper” on air traffic.

11 March 1996

Macedonia began to benefit from the PHARE Program.

14 March 1996

Turkey and Israel signed a Free Trade Agreement.

27 March 1996

The European Commission decided to prevent the mad-cow disease and prohibited the import of beef of British origin.

29 March 1996

The Intergovernmental Conference began in Turin (Italy) which aimed to negotiate the Maastricht Treaty.

19 April 1996

The second meeting of the EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee was held in Istanbul.

20 April 1996

EU signed an Association and Cooperation Agreement with Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

22 April 1996

PHARE was extended to include Bosnia and Herzegovina.

1 June 1996

Cooperation Agreements signed by EU with Vietnam and Nepal entered into force.

10 June 1996

Slovenia applied for the EU membership.

14 June 1996

A Tripartite Conference on Growth and Employment was held in Rome.(14-15 June 1996)

21 June 1996

EU signed a cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan and Chile.

At the Florence European Council, the agenda and goals of the Intergovernmental conference were determined. The Council approved the European Commission’s framework plan against mad cow disease. (21-23 June 1996)

25 June 1996

The European Council approved the new regulation regarding TACIS for the aid to be granted to Mongolia and New Independent States.

23 July 1996

The regulation regarding the establishment of MEDA Programme for the period 1995-1999 was approved.

25 July 1996

The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) Agreement was signed between Turkey and EU in Brussels.

1 August 1996

With its publication in the Official Journal, the European Coal and Steel Community signed between Turkey and the EU entered into force.

19 September 1996

The European Parliament adopted a resolution that “calls on the Commission to block, with immediate effect, all appropriations set aside under the MEDA Programme for projects in Turkey, except those concerning the promotion of democracy, human rights and civil society”.

27 September 1996

Fifteen EU member states signed a protocol to defend the EU’s financial interests.

5 October 1996

At Dublin Special European Council, the agenda of intergovernmental conferences was established.

14 October 1996

The Fin Mark was included in the European Monetary System.

26 October 1996

Elections were held in Malta.

In November, the new government withdrew Malta’s application for full membership.

28 October 1996

EU signed a cooperation agreement with Republic of Korea.

25 November 1996

The Italian Lira was included into the European Monetary System.

10 December 1996

EU signed the Interim Euro- Mediterranean Agreement with the Palestine Liberation Organization.

13 December 1996

The third meeting of EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee took place in Brussels.

13 December 1996

At the European Dublin Council, an agreement on the issues required for the transition to a single monetary system was reached. A declaration about employment was also adopted. (13-14 December 1996)

19 December 1996

Denmark, Finland and Sweden signed the Schengen Agreement.

8 January 1997

Turkey and Hungary signed a Free Trade Agreement.

 19 February 1997

The European Commission and the Palestine Liberation Organization adopted a common declaration encouraging the dialogue between both sides. Furthermore, a Euro- Mediterranean Agreement for five years was signed.

20 March 1997

The 106th meeting of Turkey-EU Association Committee took place.

24 April 1997

The 107th meeting of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee was held.

14 April 1997

The 40th meeting of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee took place. (14-16 April 1997)

29 April 1997

The 38th meeting of Turkey-EU Association Council was held. Furthermore, the European Union signed a cooperation agreement with Cambodia and Laos.

29 April 1997

A Free Trade Agreement was signed between Turkey and Romania.

1 May 1997

The Free Trade Agreement signed between Turkey and Israel entered into force.

6 May 1997

The Commission adopted a working program against fraudulent acts.

30 May 1997

The 19th meeting of Turkey-EU Customs UnionJoint Committee was held.

2 June 1997

The Council confirmed a common position about racism and adopted a regulation establishing the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia.

Turkey and Lithuania signed a Free Trade Agreement.
 

3 June 1997

Turkey and Estonia signed a Free Trade Agreement

11 June 1997

The 4th meeting of the Turkey-EU Joint Consultative Committee was held in Gaziantep. (11-13 June 1997)

16 June 1997

At the Amsterdam European Council, the officials agreed on the draft of Amsterdam Treaty and approved the action plan that was going toease the transition to Economic Monetary Union. (16-17 June 1997)

16 July 1997

The Commission presented the Agenda 2000 and gave its opinion on the application for EU membership of ten Central and Eastern European Countries.

23 July 1997

The sixth meeting of Turkey-EU Customs Union Joint Committee took place.

2 October 1997

The Amsterdam Treaty was signed.

3 October 1997

Turkey and Czech Republic signed a Free Trade Agreement.

20 October 1997

Turkey and Slovakia signed a Free Trade Agreement.

21 November 1997

At the informal meeting of the Luxembourg European Council, the principles needed to be taken into account by Member States within their employment policies were determined. (21-22 November 1997)

8 December 1997

EU signed a partnership agreement for economical and political coordination with Mexico.

12  December 1997

At the Luxembourg European Council, the candidate countries  were determined:  Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Estonia, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus and Slovakia. Turkey was not included but it was pointed out as a qualified member. (12-13 December 1997)

14 December 1997

After the Luxembourg decisions, the Turkish Government decided to freeze its relations  with EU.

1 January 1998

The decision no: 1/98 of the EC - Turkey Association Council on trade regime for agricultural products entered into force.

The cooperation agreement signed between EU and Macedonia entered into force.

17 January 1998

Turkey and Romania signed a Free Trade Agreement.

23 January 1998

The fifth meeting of the Turkey-EU Joint Consultative Committee was held in Brussels.

1 February 1998

The European Agreements signed with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania entered into force.

The Free Trade Agreement signed between Turkey and Romania entered into force.

16 February 1998

The seventh meeting of Turkey-EU Customs Union Joint Committee took place.

1 March 1998

The Free Trade Agreement signed between Turkey and Lithuania entered into force.

3 March 1998

The European Commission published its “European Strategy for Turkey” that aims to reinforce the relations between both parties.

12 March 1998

A Conference in London took place gathering the 15 Member States and 11 candidate countries. Turkey refused to participate at this conference.

16 March 1998

The Greek drachma joined the European Monetary System.

30 March 1998

Association negotiations started for the 10 Central and Eastern European Countries and with the Greek Cypriot Administrationof Southern Cyprus.

1 April 1998

The Free Trade Agreement signed between Turkey and Hungary entered into force.

21 April 1998

Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission held its 42nd meeting. (21-22 April 1998)

3 May 1998

At the European Council in Brussels, the 11 initial countries that would participate in the third stage from 1st January 1999 were selected.

5 May 1998

Turkey and Slovenia signed a Free Trade Agreement.

26 May 1998

The President of European Central Bank, the vice president and the board of directors were appointed.

28 May 1998

The 21st meeting of Turkey-EU Customs Union Cooperation Committee was held.

1 June 1998

The European Central Bank was established.

15 June 1998

At Cardiff European Council, the basic guidelines for EU strategies in terms of economic growth and improvement of  the employment situation were established.  In addition, the Council developed more concrete measures to get closer to the citizens. (15-16 June1998)

18 June 1998

The sixth meeting of the Turkey-EU Joint Consultative Committee was held in Brussels.

30 June 1998

The 108th meeting of Turkey-EU Association Committee took place.

1 July 1998

The interim trade agreement with Mexico, the partnership and cooperation agreement with Moldavia as well as the cooperation agreement with Yemen entered into force.

11 July 1998

A Free Trade Agreement was signed between Turkey and Bulgaria.

22 July 1998

Commission published a “White Paper” on transport infrastructure.

10 September 1998

Malta renewed its application for EU membership.

16 September 1998

The European Parliament approved the report regarding Turkey-EU’s relations and customs union process.

1 October 1998

The Europol Convention on  fight against drug trafficking entered into force.

4 November 1998

The European Commission published its Progress Report on  candidate countries.

9 November 1998

The 43rd meeting of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee took place.(9-10 November 1998)

3 December 1998

The European Parliament approved a report analyzing Turkey’s political and economic situation.

11 December 1998

At the Vienna European Council, the employment principles for 1999 were confirmed. The EU officials also agreed on action plan in the areas related to freedom, security and justice.(11-12 December 1998)

15 December  1998

The 22nd meeting of Turkey-EU Customs Union Joint Committee was held.

31 December 1998

The irrevocable conversion rates for the euro were accepted within the framework of  the transition to the third stage of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

1 January 1999

The Euro was formally launched and 11 countries began to use the Euro (Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Finland, Luxembourg, Holland, Portugal and Spain).

27 January 1999

The European Commission published a “White Paper” on trade.

1 February 1999

The European Agreement signed with Slovenia entered into force.

18 February 1999

The 44th meeting of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee took place. (18-19 February 1999)

17 February 1999

The European Commission adopted a favorable opinion on the accession of Malta.

23 February 1999

Turkey-ECSC Joint Committee organized its first meeting and  decisions about the working conditions were taken.

26  February 1999

Turkey-EU Customs Union Joint Committee organized its 8th meeting

.

1 March 1999

The entire College of Commissioners resigned after a report by the Committee of Independent Experts.

9 March 1999

The seventh meeting of the EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee was held in  Brussels.

24 March 1999

In Berlin, the Special European Council agreed on the Agenda 2000. (24-25 March 1999)

30 March 1999

The 109th meeting of Turkey-EU Association Committee took place.     

15 April 1999

The Third Euro- Mediterranean Conference took place. (15-16 April 1999)

28 April 1999

The European Commission published a “White Paper” on competition policy.

1 May 1999

Amsterdam Treaty entered into force.

6 May 1999

The European Parliament approved the package of Agenda 2000 Reform.

17 May 1999

ISPA instruments were established to support the harmonizing process with EU standards in energy and transport infrastructure for the Central and Eastern European Countries.

28 May 1999

Turkey-EU Customs Union Cooperation Committee organized its 23rd meeting.

3 June 1999

At the Köln European Council a common strategy with Russia was adopted. Javier Solana was appointed as the High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy. The Council also approved the Pact of European Employment. It decided that preparation  for the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights would start. (3-4 June 1999)

10 June 1999

The European Parliamentary elections were held. (10-1^ June 1999)

18 June 1999

The European Anti-Fraud Office was established.

21 June 1999

The SAPARD Program was created in order to support agricultural and rural development in Central and Eastern European Countries.

19  July 1999

Foreign Ministers held a meeting where the 15 member states and 10 candidates of the Central and Eastern European Countries, the Greek Administration of Southern Cyprus, Malta and Switzerland participated. Turkey refused to attend the meeting.

27 September 1999

The eigth meeting of Turkey-EU Joint Consultative Committee was held in Trabzon.

13 October 1999

The European Commission published its Progress Report on candidate countries.

15 October 1999

In Tampere, the Special European Council agreed on political priorities and principles.  It launched a preparation to draft the Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union. (15-16 October 1999)

19 October 1999

The Council published a report on human rights for the first time.

10 December 1999

At the Helsinki European Council was adopted the Millennium Declaration and decisions regarding the enlargement process were taken. Turkey was announced to be a candidate State destined to join the Union. Accession negotiations started with Romania, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Malta. (10-11 December)

13 December 1999

Turkey-EU Customs Union Cooperation Committee held  its 24th meeting.