Privileged partnership

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]

Albania

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

Algeria

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

Armenia

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

Azerbaijan

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

Belarus

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

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

Croatia

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

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

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

Georgia

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

Israel

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

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

Kosovo

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

Lebanon

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

Libya

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

Moldova

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

Morocco

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

Palestine

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

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

Serbia and Montenegro

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

Syria

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

Tunisia

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

Turkey

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

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

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]