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]
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, and is also used for the EU's bilateral relationship with Tunisia[14] [15] [16] and with Russia.
Ultimately, the term dates back to 1957 when it was used to characterize Morocco's relationship with the European Economic Community.[17]
The term was used for a proposed alternative to EU membership for Albania.[10]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Algeria.[13]
See also: Armenia–EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Armenia.[13]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Azerbaijan.[13]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Belarus.[13]
The term was used for a proposed alternative to EU membership for Bosnia and Herzegovina.[10]
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]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Egypt.[13]
The term was used for a proposed alternative to EU membership for North Macedonia.[10]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Georgia.[13]
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]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Jordan.[13]
The term was used for a proposed alternative to EU membership for Kosovo.[10]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Lebanon.[13]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Libya.[13]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Moldova.[13]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Morocco.[13]
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]
French President Jacques Chirac used the term for a proposed Russia-EU relationship at the Russia-EU summit in 2003.[8]
The term was used for a proposed alternative to EU membership for Serbia and Montenegro.[10]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Syria.[13]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Tunisia.[13]
Privileged partnership (tr|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]
The term has been used for the proposed relationship with the countries considered in 2004 for the European Neighbourhood Policy, including Ukraine.[13]
The term was used by Jacques Delors for a proposed relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom should it exit the EU.[18]