BRUSSELS, Dec 16 (AFP) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday that Ankara would like to start EU membership negotiations next April, earlier than the second half of the year which EU leaders appear set to agree.
"Our wish is for a date in April," he told reporters ahead of an EU summit at which the bloc's leaders are widely expected to give the green light for Ankara to start talks, while setting a series of strict conditions.
But he conceded that the decision is ultimately up to the EU heads of government. "They will make the decision," he said. Asked if he would object to a date in second half of 2005, he added: "Let's wait and see what comes out."
Under an EU decision agreed two years ago, the bloc agreed to start membership talks with Ankara "without delay" after deciding to go ahead with the negotiations.
But the date appears likely to be put back until after June, both to allow the European Commission to make technical preparations but also notably because France wants to avoid the issue clouding a referendum on the EU's constitution planned for the first half on the year.
Erdogan was speaking to Turkish journalists after lunch with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and Denmark's Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and before more talks with various leaders at his hotel before the start of the summit.
"It was a positive and good meeting," he said of his lunchtime talks. "We're explaining our sensitivities to them. So far, we are engaged in a positive dialogue."
12/16/2004 14:52 GMT - AFP