BRUSSELS - Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amada said Tuesday that EU officials were trying hard to open two more chapters of negotiations with Turkey next month.
Amada told a news conference, on behalf of EU presidency, after talks with Turkish Foreign Minister & Chief Negotiator for the EU talks Ali Babacan that he hoped to hold an enlargement conference to open two new chapters on December 18th, if political difficulties were overcome.
"We will have certainly in December during the European Council (summit) a proposal to deal with the French demand on the one side, and on the other side we will try to create the conditions to maintain the Turkish process on track," he said, when asked about a French block on opening any new chapters until EU leaders agreed to establish a "wise persons' committee" to report on Europe's long-term shape and role.
On the other hand, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said at least two more chapters should be opened in December.
Asked about the closure case filed against Democratic Society Party (DTP), Rehn said they were against any direct or indirect linkage with a terrorist organization, as they advocated for democracy and pluralism.
Rehn also called on Turkey and Iraq to find a political solution, saying that they understand Turkey's need to protect its people from terrorist organization PKK and and ensure security in the region.