2 January 2001

Greece became the 12th member of the Euro Zone.

18 January 2001

The second round of Turkey-EU negotiations for the liberalization of public procurements and services took place in Brussels.(18-19 January)

24 January 2001

The European Commission explained the “6^th Environment Action Program” which provides the strategic framework for the European Commission’s environmental policy until 2012.

5 February 2001

The EU Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen sent a letter to the other Commissioners to remind that Turkey is a candidate country and should be treated as the other 12 candidate countries.

7 February 2001

The EU Enlargement Director General, Michael Leigh was appointed as the head of the desk in charge of Turkey.

8 February 2001

The European Commission approved the “Green Book” on  Integrated Product Policy.

14 February 2001

The European Parliament approved the draft of the regulation aiming to gather all the financial aids granted to Turkey under the same framework.

26 February 2001

The EU General Affairs Council approved the regulation establishing the legal basis for the financial aids given to Turkey in its accession process.

The Treaty of Nice was signed by European leaders.

27 February 2001

An agreement of Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Collaboration was signed between the USA and Mexico foreseeing the establishment of a free trade area. The agreement entered into force on the 1st  March 2001.

3 March 2001

The regulations establishing the legal basis for the financial aids given to Turkey entered into force.

8 March 2001

The European Union Council approved the Accession Partnership Document for Turkey.

19 March 2001

Turkey’s National Program was approved by the Council of Ministers.

20 March 2001

The Commission accepted the “Green Book” about the  common fishing policy.

26 March 2001

The National Program was presented by Foreign Minister İsmail Cem to the EU Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen.

9 April 2001

The Interim Agreement and the Stabilization and Association Agreement were signed between the EU and Macedonia.

18 April 2001

The 11^th EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee took place.(18-19 April)

25 April 2001

The European Commission presented the draft establishing the framework of the pre-accession financial aids for Turkey.

14 May 2001

The negotiations for Stabilization and Association Agreement were initiated between EU and Croatia.

1 June 2001

The 11^th meeting of Turkey-EU Common Customs Union  Joint Committee took place.

5 June 2001

The EU Council of Ministers athorized the European Commission to negotiate with Malta, Turkey, Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus about the general principle on the participation of the EU Programme.

15 June 2001

The Council of Gothenburg approved the principles related to the EU’s economic policies and determined the EU’s political principles. The Council also focused on the issues related to Europe’s sustainable  development strategy, full employment under fair competition, its relations with the Atlantic, cooperation for peace and security and foreign affairs. The Council also welcomed  Turkey’s National Programme.(15-16 June)

25 June 2001

The Partnership Agreement of European- Mediterranean was signed between Egypt and the EU.

26 June 2001

The 40^th meeting of EU-Turkey Association Council took place.

The 47^th meeting of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission was held. (26-27 June)

18 July 2001

The Commission published a “Green Book” promoting a European Framework for corporate social responsibility.

25 July 2001

The Commission published the “White Book” on European Governance.

12 September 2001

The Commission published the “White Book” on European  Transport Policy.

21 September 2001

After the terrorist attacks of September 11, a special EU Council meeting was organized in Brussels in order to evaluate the international situation and to determine its own guidelines.

28 September 2001

The Commission published a “Green Book” on the compensation to crime victims.

2 October 2001

The Commission published a “Green Book” on consumer protection.

19 October 2001

The EU member countries’ head of states organized an informal meeting.

25 October 2001

The European Parliament approved a report on Turkey’s EU process.

29 October 2001

The EU and Croatia signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement.

5 November 2001

The 12^th Meeting of Turkey-EU Joint Consultative Committee  took place. (5-6 November)

 9 November 2001

The World Trade Organization’s Conference was organized in Doha.(9-13 November)

13 November 2001

The European Commission published its 2001 Turkey Progress Report.

22 November 2001

The Commission approved the “White Book” on Youth.

24 November 2001

The EU and Pakistan signed a Cooperation Agreement.

26 November 2001

The 48^th meeting of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission took place. (26-27 November)

29 November 2001

The 12^th meeting of Turkey-EU Customs Union Joint Committee took place.

14 December 2001

At the Laeken European Council, the European Union discussed about the activities after 11th September, socio-economical developments, reinforcing the areas of liberty, security and justice aw well as foreign relations.  It was also emphasized that the negotiations will soon start with Turkey. (14-15 December)

17 December 2001

The EU Ministers Council approved the regulation establishing the legal basis for the pre-accession financial aids granted to Turkey.