On 12th September 1963, a Treaty of Association was concluded between the European Economic Community and Turkey and was enshrined in the law of 13th May 1964 . The treaty and the Additional Protocol of 23rd November 1970 pursue the long term aim of preparing Turkey for accession to the European Union by increasing the coordination of economic policy and creating a customs union (since 1st January 1996).
Article 41 Paragraph 1 of the Additional Protocol contains a standstill clause, which is worded as follows: “The Contracting Parties shall refrain from introducing between themselves any new restrictions on the freedom of establishment and the freedom to provide services.”