topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2130.38 0.52
DAX 6374.09 0.54
IBEX 30 6496.5 -0.71
CAC 40 3063.85 0.52
FTSE 100 5389.87 0.72
AEX 294.85 0.71
DJIA 12454.83 -0.60
Nasdaq 2837.53 -0.07
FTSE MIB 13150.04 -0.04
TSX Composite 11576.47 0.09
ASX 4120.2 0.96
Hang seng 18800.99 0.47
Straits Times 2787.22 0.52
ISEQ 20 503.63 0.54
You are here: Home News French News Turkey takes fresh step towards EU membership

French News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


20/12/2007Turkey takes fresh step towards EU membership

"There is no doubt that some member states are trying to erode our political and juridicial position..." Turkish Foreign Minister

   BRUSSELS, December 20, 2007  - Turkey took a fresh step towards EU
membership Wednesday with the opening of new policy talks, despite resistance
from France and other members.
   "There is no doubt that some member states are trying to erode our
political and juridicial position on the adhesion process but that sort of
attitude is wrong and doesn't reflect a responsible approach," Turkish Foreign
Minister Ali Babacan told a press conference in Brussels.
   "Provocation" from some nations would not deflect it from its goal, he
added, after Turkey officially opened talks on another two of the 35 policy
chapters which must be successfully negotiated prior to membership.
   "If the goal behind these provocations is to get Turkey to renounce its
principles and ideals it won't work," he said, without mentioning any member
states by name.
   France has been leading the lobby to keep Turkey out of the European Union.
   French President Nicolas Sarkozy is a staunch opponent of Ankara's EU bid
and advocates a special partnership with largely Muslim Turkey rather than
full membership.
   The French stance is largely backed by Cyprus, which Turkey refuses to
trade with, and Austria.
   Britain, Sweden and most of the newer EU states are championing future
Turkish membership.
   Wednesday's deal brings to six the total number of chapters Turkey has
opened since formal accession talks began in October 2005.
   Eight others were frozen a year ago because of Ankara's refusal to open its
ports and airports to vessels and aircraft from EU member state Cyprus, with
which it has a long-standing dispute over the Turkish-occupied northern third
of the divided island.
   Turkey's talks are expected to last at least a decade, with no guarantee of
membership at the end of it all.
   Croatia, which began membership talks at the same time as Turkey, is in
pole position to become the 28th EU member state.
   Its progress has been appreciably faster and the opening of two more policy
chapters in its own talks on Wednesday brings its total to 16 of the 35.
   The chapters on "Trans-European Networks" and "Consumer and Health
Protection" were officially opened in the presence of Turkish and EU officials.
   The move was made possible by the creation last week of a "reflection
group" on the future of Europe. France had insisted that the committee be set
up as a condition for not blocking Turkey's progress on the talks.
   However Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado, whose country holds the
EU's rotating presidency until the end of the month, said "the adhesion
process with Turkey is still totally alive".
   But a poll published by the commission Tuesday showed a further erosion of
support among the Turkish people for the goal of EU membership with 49 percent
in favour, down from 54 percent a year ago.
   "All negative perceptions of Turkey lead the Turkish population to feel
that they are not wanted and that has a negative impact on the position
regarding the EU," said Babacan.
   Also attending the Brussels ceremony, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn
said he hoped two or three more chapters could be open during the Slovenian EU
presidency in the first half of 2008.
   "We have to be fair by respecting the framework of the negotiating
framework of 2005 agreed by all member states," which stipulates the objective
of the talks is membership, even if this is not guaranteed, he added.
   To show support, European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso will visit
Turkey "in the coming months," said Rehn.
   One subject which was not raised at Wednesday's talks here were the recent
Turkish attacks on Kurdish militants in northern Iraq.
   On Monday the EU presidency voiced concern after the Turkish military
launched air attacks on Kurdish rebel bases accross the border in Iraq, urging
Ankara to exercise restraint.
   "That wasn't on our talks agenda" said Amado.
Amelie Bottollier-Depois
AFP


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating



0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Travel & Transport in France

BUY FAKE PASSPORT, DRIVING LICENSE,ID CARD

Immigration and Legal Problems

BUY FAKE PASSPORT, DRIVING LICENSE,ID CARD

Relocating to France

BUY FAKE PASSPORT, DRIVING LICENSE,ID CARD

Kiwis in France

BUY FAKE PASSPORT, DRIVING LICENSE,ID CARD

South Africans in France

BUY FAKE PASSPORT, DRIVING LICENSE,ID CARD

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Management culture in France

Management culture in France

This handy guide from Expertise in Labour Mobility includes information on business hierarchy, negotiations, and etiquette.

American associations and clubs in Paris

American associations and clubs in Paris

A listing of organizations in the Paris area that cater primarily to Americans living in France. Updated April 2011.

British associations and clubs in Paris

British associations and clubs in Paris

Our handy guide to the British community in Paris, from cricket clubs to Scottish country dancing lessons to where to find a jar of Marmite.

Anglophone services in France

Anglophone services in France

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in France, from how to open a bank account to Islamic banking and investments.