EU looks to Turkish entry talks

BBC
29 June 05

The European Commission says talks on Turkey’s membership of the
EU should start on time on 3 October with accession as a “shared
objective”. The recommendation comes in a proposed framework for the
talks, which needs unanimous approval from member states.

The Commission says the talks will be open-ended, and that Turkey
cannot join until 2014 at the earliest.

The proposal comes at a time when critics of Turkish membership are
making their voices heard.

The mood in Europe has changed and there is not much enthusiasm in
evidence, says the BBC’s Chris Morris in Brussels.

Political hurdle

Like other would-be members in the future, Turkey will also face much
stricter conditions than candidates in the past.

Our correspondent says it is not just about human rights and
democracy. There are a host of technical issues which will take years
to resolve, including agricultural reform and environmental standards.

But the biggest hurdle will be a political one, he adds.

Plenty of influential political voices say Europe does not want
Turkey as a member and the next generation of leaders in the biggest
EU countries may well be far less supportive of Turkey’s candidacy
than the current one.