EU - Turkey talks in trouble
Talks between Turkey and the European Union about it becoming an EU member have just started but they already look to be suspended if nothing changes. Ankara refuses to open its ports and airports to traffic from Cyprus, which is a EU member state. There has been public opposition to Turkey’s accession to the EU. Austria proposes a “breathing pause”, which could be interpreted as a suspension of the talks. Austria, France, and Cyprus have been the toughest on Turkey. Germany’s government prefers a “special partnership” with Turkey, but not full membership of the EU.
EU foreign ministers have given a downbeat assessment on the chances of keeping Turkey’s accession talks on track, with the Finnish EU presidency openly doubting its chances of reaching a deal on Cyprus and with Austria urging a “breathing pause” in the talks.
Finnish foreign minister Erkki Tuomioja after a meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels on Monday (13 November) said it is uncertain whether his country’s intense diplomatic efforts to reach a trade deal between Turkey and Cyprus will be successful, with the scenario of a full or partial suspension of Ankara’s EU entry negotiations looming.
“We have more than three weeks to find a solution acceptable to everyone. I cannot guarantee any success in this. It is also quite possible that we do not reach an agreement within this time,” Mr Tuomioja said.
Read the full article at EUObserver by clicking here.
Administrator @ November 14, 2006