The creation of a European-Mediterranean partnership is the next step in the EU's effort to develop a sustainable Mediterranean policy. The main aims of such a partnership must be to establish an environmental dialogue and a regular, intensive exchange of views and ideas between European countries. When the past achievements of this policy are examined in detail, it becomes clear that the EU's Mediterranean policy has met with little success until now and, with the exception of some limited infrastructure and social projects, there have been few concrete achievements. Turkey is unique amongst Mediterranean countries and yet, despite its customs union with the EU, it does not have a coherent Mediterranean policy. Nevertheless, Turkey hopes to use the customs union to recover its pivotal position as a "cornerstone country" and, through that, develop an effective Mediterranean policy of its own. It is clear that, if Turkey is to accurately assess its relationship with the EU and increase its influence in the Mediterranean area, it must first develop a cogent Mediterranean policy.