Turkey had applied to join the EU in 1987 and became eligible in 1997. In October 2004 it was declared that accession negotiations would be started and that parallel to accession negotiations the EU would engage in an intensive political and cultural dialogue. To enhance mutual understanding the EU emphasized that this inclusive dialogue would also involve civil society.
To support the strengthening of the role of civil society the Federation of EU Associations was founded in May 2014.
The primary goals of the Federation may be summarized as :
To pursue policy based research focusing on the economic, political, cultural, social, sectorial and regional issues related to Turkey’s candidacy to the EU.
To promote policy dialogue between civil society, NGOs’, Turkey, the EU, and its member states.
The members of the Federation are
-Avrupa Birliği Çalışmaları Merkezi Derneği, Ankara (EU Workcentre Association)
-İstanbul Avrupa Birliği Öncüleri Derneği ( Istanbul EU Pioneers’ Association)
-Konya Avrupa Birliği Çalışmaları Merkezi Derneği (EU Workcentre Association of Konya)
-İstanbul Beyoğlu Avrupa Birliği Derneği ( The Istanbul Beyoğlu EU Association)
-Çukurova Avrupa Birliği Çalışmaları Merkezi Derneği’dir. (The EU Workcentre Association of Çukurova)
