Privileged partnership

Privileged partnership is a generic term for increased cooperation between the European Union and a non-EU country to advance common goals,[1] often without pursuing EU membership.[2][3][4]

History

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The term was initially used to describe an alternative to EU membership for Turkey that was first floated in November 2002 by Heinrich August Winkler in Die Zeit[5] and later formally proposed in 2004,[6][7] although the term was used previously in 2003 to describe a proposed relationship with Russia[8] and was also used in 2004 for a proposed relationship with Israel.[9]

Since that time, the term has been used for alternatives for EU membership for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo.[10] It has since been used retrospectively to characterize relationships with the countries[11][12][13] considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy that were first proposed in the Commission Communication of March 2003,[14] and is also used for the EU's bilateral relationship with Tunisia[15][16][17] and with Russia.[18]

Ultimately, the term dates back to 1957 when it was used to characterize Morocco's relationship with the European Economic Community.[19]

By country

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Albania

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The term was used for a proposed alternative to EU membership for Albania.[10]

Algeria

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Algeria.[13]

Armenia

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Armenia.[13]

Azerbaijan

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Azerbaijan.[13]

Belarus

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Belarus.[13]

Bosnia and Herzegovina

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The term was used for a proposed alternative to EU membership for Bosnia and Herzegovina.[10]

Croatia

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The term was used for a proposed alternative to EU membership for Croatia. The option was dropped in favor of full membership. Croatia joined the union in July 2013.[10]

Egypt

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Egypt.[13]

North Macedonia

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The term was used for a proposed alternative to EU membership for North Macedonia.[10]

Georgia

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Georgia.[13]

Israel

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The term was used by Spanish foreign minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos, who spoke out for a "privileged partnership, offering all the benefits of EU membership, without participation in the institutions" for Israel.[9] It was also used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Israel.[13]

Jordan

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Jordan.[13]

Kosovo

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The term was used for a proposed alternative to EU membership for Kosovo.[10]

Lebanon

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Lebanon.[13]

Libya

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Libya.[13]

Moldova

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Moldova.[13]

Morocco

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Morocco.[13]

Palestine

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including the Palestinian Authority.[13]

Russia

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French President Jacques Chirac used the term for a proposed Russia-EU relationship at the Russia-EU summit in 2003.[8]

Serbia and Montenegro

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The term was used for a proposed alternative to EU membership for Serbia and Montenegro.[10]

Syria

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Syria.[13]

Tunisia

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Tunisia.[13]

Turkey

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Privileged partnership (Turkish: İmtiyazlı ortaklık) was the term used by Angela Merkel in February 2004[6] to describe a future relationship between Turkey and the European Union which fell short of full membership. The proposal was advanced by CDU/CSU members.[7]

Ukraine

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The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Ukraine.[13]

United Kingdom

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The term was used by Jacques Delors for a proposed relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom should it exit the EU.[20]

See also

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References

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