The European Parliament delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) functions on the basis of the Association Agreement (Ankara Agreement of 1963), the Additional Protocol (Customs Union Protocol of 1970) and several parliamentary decisions both by the European Parliament and the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA).
The EU-Turkey JPC is composed of an equal number of Members of the European Parliament and of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. It meets in general twice a year, alternately in Turkey or in one of the work places of the European Parliament.
Since the opening of accession negotiations with Turkey, based on the European Council decision of December 2004, the JPC holds discussions on the relations between the EU and Turkey, scrutinizes the application of the Customs Union and follows in particular the progress of the accession negotiations.
Representatives of the Cooperation Council, the EU-Presidency-in-Office, the European Commission and of the Turkish government regularly address the JPC meetings.
The European Parliament delegation to the EU-Turkey JPC also maintains regular contacts with Turkish civil society.
