EU to present draft entry plan for Turkey
The European Union head office in Brussels is to present its proposed road map for negotiating membership talks with Turkey today – negotiations that are expected to last at least a decade.
The plan for membership talks moves the 25-nation bloc a step closer to opening negotiations with Turkey, which are expected to start on October 3 if the country meets all entry requirements.
The road map, which lays out procedures on how the talks will progress, needs final approval from all 25 EU governments before the bloc can start the negotiations, which are expected to issue strict conditions to Turkey.
The entry talks will focus on how Turkey can implement EU legislation on everything from minimum worker safety standards to keeping its budget deficit in line with EU rules.
There is growing opposition in Europe over predominantly Muslim Turkey’s bid to join the club, and doubts remain over whether Turkey can adhere to the EU’s democratic and human rights standards.
Several EU countries also are concerned about the impact Turkey’s membership will have on EU programmes including agriculture subsidies and environmental standards.
In Ankara, Turkey’s prime minister urged the EU to accept predominantly Muslim Turkey.
“If you really claim that the EU is not a Christian club, if you believe this, then you should take Turkey among you,” said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an address to Islamic preachers.
“Then you can say that this is not really a Christian club, but a place where civilisations meet,” he said. “Otherwise, you have no right to say this. You can’t say this. Even if you say, nobody would believe.”
