EU Commissioner Responsible of Enlargement Gunther Verheugen announced in the EU-Turkey Partnership meeting that, Turkey might become a member in 2011. Verheugen said that, if Turkey carried out the political criterion and solve the Cyprus problem, the accession talks might start in the second half of 2005.
Saying that the Turkish people would dislike the situation if an accession date were not determined for Turkey, Verheugen stressed a 10-year calendar for the membership.
According to the Verheugen’s calendar: “Turkey will carry out the political criterion end of 2003, the applications will be researched in 2004, and at the end of 2004 there will be a solution. If the Cyprus problem solved, the accession talks will start. The accession talks will continue for 4 years and the package talks 1 year. Turkey will be a member in 2011-2012.”
(4.25.2003)