Turkey’s impressive progress in reforming its economic and political system in the last five years has led to a decision by the European Council on December 17, 2004 to start accession negotiations in October of this year. While it is for sure that this negotiation process will take years, it is expected to change the face of Turkey by strengthening its democracy and market economy. Yet the process will embody significant challenges. In addition to the difficult domestic measures it will require, the process will also take place amidst shifting priorities in the transatlantic relations and increasing volatility in the Broader Middle East. As Turkey’s own progress in reforms and its potential role in its region are becoming increasingly important for the American foreign policy in the aftermath of the Cold War, the future of Turkey’s EU membership bid is now becoming a transatlantic priority. This conference brought together leading officials and policy experts from both sides of the Atlantic to highlight the significance of Turkey’s EU negotiation process and its likely implications for the region, the EU, and the US.