THE HAGUE, Dec 15 (AFP) - The upcoming European Union summit in Brussels is likely to approve the opening of membership talks with Turkey, Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said on Wednesday.
"There seems to be a 'yes' coming," Balkenende said when asked about the likelihood of the opening of accession talks with Turkey during a final debate in the Dutch parliament before the EU summit on Thursday, the ANP news agency reported.
The 25 member states of the European Union have to decide at the Brussels summit Thursday and Friday if they will start membership talks with Turkey.
Balkenende stressed on Wednesday that a decision should be "unanimous" and there should be no "derailments".
The prime minister also told the parliament that France and Austria, the two countries most reluctant towards Turkey's possible EU membership were also expecting the EU summit to give the negotiations the green light.
In the last few days Balkenende has made whirlwind visits to several European capitals, Berlin, Paris and Vienna, to pave the way for the crucial EU summit decision on Turkey.
French president Jacques Chirac on Monday expressed concerns over the talks to Balkenende while German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said he agreed that "the aim is membership and the aim will not be watered down".
Turkey has been trying to become a member of the EU for over 40 years. In 1999 the country was given the official status of candidate member.
Last October the European Commission recommended that accession talks with Ankara should be opened under certain conditions. Membership negotiations could last between 10 and 15 years.
12/15/2004 11:42 GMT - AFP