LONDON, December 17 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - European Union leaders and Turkey agreed on Friday, December 17, the terms on which Ankara will start entry talks in October 2005, an EU government official said.

Here are some key dates in Turkey's relations with Europe as recorded by Reuters:

September 12, 1963 - Turkey seals an association agreement with the then-European Economic Community (EEC).

July 22, 1970 - Turkey and the EEC sign an accord foreseeing Turkey's eventual full membership in the bloc.

1978-79 - EEC suggests Turkey apply for membership along with rival Greece. Ankara declines. Greece joins in 1981.

Sept 12, 1980 - The army topples the government and imposes military rule. Relations with the EEC are virtually frozen.

Nov 6, 1983 - Turkey holds parliamentary elections, ending military rule. Relations with Europe begin to normalize.

April 15, 1987 - Turkey applies for full EEC membership.

Dec 18, 1989 - The executive European Commission endorses Turkey's eligibility for membership, but defers assessing its application indefinitely.

Jan 1, 1996 - A Customs Union between the renamed European Union (EU) and Turkey enters into force.

Dec 13, 1997 - EU leaders deny Turkey candidate status.

Dec 10, 1999 - An EU summit in Helsinki recognises Turkey as

an applicant country but says it has many reforms to carry out.

Aug 3, 2002 - The Turkish parliament passes sweeping human rights reforms, including abolition of the death penalty.

Nov 3, 2002 - The conservative Justice and Development Party, which has Islamist roots, wins a general election.

Dec 12, 2002 - The EU proposes a December 2004 review to decide on setting a date for starting accession talks.

June 19, 2003 - Turkey's parliament gives the green light to Kurdish broadcasts and removes other curbs on the language.

July 30, 2003 - The military-dominated National Security

Council is stripped of executive powers in line with EU demands.

Jan 16, 2004 - Romano Prodi, the first Commission president to visit Turkey since 1963, praises Ankara's reform progress.

May 7, 2004 - Parliament abolishes the state security courts used to try political crimes and bans sex discrimination.

Oct 6, 2004 - The European Commission recommends the EU start entry talks with Turkey, but says negotiations could be suspended if Ankara backtracks on human rights and EU states may seek permanent safeguards against an influx of Turkish workers.

Nov 22, 2004 - Turkish president approves a key law demanded by the EU removing curbs on freedom of association, but says he will appeal to the Constitutional Court on two of its articles.

Nov 29, 2004 - A first draft EU summit statement sets tough terms for Turkey including de facto recognition of Cyprus and a possible permanent emergency brake on labor migration.

Nov 30, 2004 - The European Parliament's foreign affairs committee endorses non-binding report urging EU leaders to agree to open entry talks with Turkey "without undue delay", rejecting calls to offer Ankara anything less than full membership.