BRUSSELS (AA) - Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said early on Friday that they decided that membership talks with Turkey could start on October 3rd, 2005.
Balkenende told a press briefing that the target of talks would be full membership, but the result could not be guaranteed. He added that the importance of Turkey's remaining anchored to EU would be emphasized in case negotiations end in failure.
Balkenende said they should be very cautious regarding Cyprus. Noting that he would meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan tonight and it was out of question for him to communicate through press. He underlined that Cyprus constituted a basic issue.
Balkenende said EU leaders would discuss derogations tomorrow (Friday) and he was very pleased for the result and compromise reached among EU countries.
They have opened the door of European Union for Turkey, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.
Barroso said Turkey and EU both have some justified concerns. Noting that he thought that Turkey should accept the EU offer determining a date for start of membership negotiations, Barroso said Turkey should understand their message well.
Stating that a decision which should be accepted by Turkey emerged from the EU meeting, Barroso said he hoped Prime Minister Erdogan would accept the decision.
Barroso said that their offer was in conformity with the EU Commission report. He noted that Turkey had welcomed report of the Commission; thus, he thought that there should be no problem.
Balkenende and Erdogan have met to discuss the EU's decision. The EU Council's decision is expected to be discussed again after Balkenende-Erdogan meeting and become official in the day.
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2004-12-17