European Union leaders have decided to begin membership talks with Turkey in two years -- but only if Turkey meets the EU's criteria.
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, speaking at the EU summit in Copenhagen Thursday night, said EU leaders would decide in December 2004 if Turkey is ready to start membership talks. "If the European Council in December 2004, on the basis of a report and the recommendations from the commission decides that Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria, the European Union will open accession negotiations with Turkey."
Rasmussen added that if Turkey satisfy the EU's political and human rights criteria, membership talks with Ankara could start as soon as possible after the review.
News agencies quoted an aide to the leader of Turkey's governing Justice And Development Party, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as welcoming the EU declaration but suggesting Turkey will continue to press for an earlier opening of membership negotiations. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
