Given its financial and institutional implications, Chapter 21 of the acquis communautaire on ‘Regional Policy and the Co-ordination of Structural Instruments’ will likely be one of the most controversial and protracted sections of Turkey’s accession negotiations with the European Union. Surprisingly, the topic has so far received limited attention in policy and academic circles. This article attempts to highlight the potential challenges regarding negotiations on regional policy inlight of the experience of the Southeastern Anatolia Project. The importance of establishing effective institutional structures with adequate administrative capacity at local and regional levels is particularly emphasized. Please click here to read the text in full.