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At the European Council, Brussels, 16-17 December 2004 the heads of government of the EU Member States invited the European Commission to present to the Council a proposal for a framework for negotiations with Turkey for that country to join the European Union. It requested the Council to agree on that framework during 2005 with a view to opening negotiations with Turkey on 3 October 2005. These negotiations should be seen as an open-ended process, the outcome of which cannot be guaranteed beforehand.
Difficult negotiations went on throughout the European Council meeting between the EU and Turkey on the question of the recognition of Cyprus. A form of words has now been agreed to satisfy all sides for the time being. EU leaders agreed to open accession talks with Turkey after receiving assurances from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey will sign a protocol extending its 1963 Association Agreement to new members of the EU, including Greek Cyprus. Turkey insists that its signing of the protocol extending the 1963 Agreement does not mean recognition of the Greek Cypriot government.
Following the official start of accession negotiations in October 2005 a screening process, designed to check compatibility of Turkish laws with those of the EU, would immediately start. The screening could take up to a year, thus delaying substantive accession talks to the latter part of 2006.
Public opinion in a number of EU Member States remains divided on the issue of Turkish membership of the EU. Some EU Member States will hold a referendum on the issue.
This In Focus brings together the key information official and stakeholder information sources on this important decision, with commentary and analysis from the key newspapers. Information on the lead-up to the December decision can be found in earlier In Focus in ESO listed below. Further and subsequent information can be found from the hyperlink at the bottom of this In Focus.
EU: Legislation and Policy Making
EU: Report
EU: Background
International Organisation
National/regional/local official organisation
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Netherlands: Netherlands Government Information Service: Press Release: The Netherlands: Talks with Turkey can in principle begin, November 2004 |
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Ireland, Houses of the Oireachtas: Joint Committee on European Affairs: Official Report, 10.11.04: Visit of the Turkish Ambassador to discuss Turkey's application to jon the EU |
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United States: US Mission to the EU: EU enlargement and neighbouring countries: Turkey |
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Cyprus: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Press Release: Cyprus: Cyprus Government will insist that Ankara complies with its obligations towards the EU and Cyprus, December 2004 |
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Finland: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Press Release: The European Union will begin accession negotiations with Turkey, December 2004 |
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Austria: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Press Release: Foreign Minister Plassnik ahead of EU Summit, Decembver 2004 |
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France: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Interview by President Chirac on Turkey and the EU, December 2004 |
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United Kingdom: Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Newsfile: Turkey and the European Union |
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United Kingdom: Foreign and Commonwealth Office: News: Edited transcript of an interview with Jack Straw on the Turkey decision, December 2004 |
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United Kingdom: Parlaiment: House of Commons: European Standing Committee B: Turkish accession, 2004 |
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Slovenia: Government of the Republic of Slovenia: Press Release: Slovenia supports EU talks with Croatia and backs Turkey negotiations compromise, December 2004 |
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Germany: Press and Information Office of the Federal Government: Press Release: Germany: Membership talks with Turkey - keeping our word, December 2004 |
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Cyprus: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Press Release: Statement by President Papadopoulos on Brussels European Council, December 2004 |
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United States: State Department: Press Release: Statement on Agreement on Start of Accession Talks between Turkey and the European Union, December 2004 |
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Turkey: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Turkey and the EU: Turkey in the December 2004 Brussels European Council Presidency Conclusions |
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Turkey: Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Turkey and the EU |
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Turkey: Secretariat General for EU Affairs: EUTurkey Communication Platform |
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Germany: Press and Information Office of the Federal Government: Press Release: Germany: European Union decides to offer membership negotiations to Turkey' December 2004 |
Stakeholder organisation
Commercial publisher and media
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Financial Times, 13.12.04: Turkey's moment has arrived (editorial) |
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Financial Times, 16.12.04: Day of reckoning for EU 'partner' |
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Financial Times, 16.12.04: EU measures strengthen Erdogan's hand |
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Financial Times, 16.12.04: Turks upset by Europe's slow tepid courtship |
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Financial Times, 15.12.04: Blair to lead talks on Turkey's EU entry |
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Financial Times, 15.12.04: Chirac to defend his backing for Turkey's talks with EU |
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Financial Times, 16.12.04: Turkey offered historic deal to start talks about joining EU |
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Financial Times, 14.12.04: Poll setback for Turkey EU entry |
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Financial Times, 17.12.04: Chirac under fire over stance on Turkey's bid |
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BBC News, 20.12.04: Should Turkey join the EU? |
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BBC News, 18.12.04: Europe's historic new step |
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Financial Times, 4.12.04 (FT Magazine): Eastern premise |
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Financial Times, 15.12.04: Europe must listen to more than Turkey's elite |
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Financial Times, 23.12.04: How Cyprus's wounds are hurting Europe |
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The Economist, No.8406, 18.12.04: Turkey's Prime Minister. The enigmatic Mr Erdogan |
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The Economist, No.8406, 18.12.04: Turkey, plumper |
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The Economist, No.8406, 18.12.04: Turks in Germany. A Turkish heimat |
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The Economist, No.8405, 11.12.04: Turkey and the European Union. The unwelcome guests |
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Financial Times, 16.12.04: 'There are limits to Turkish patience and optimism' |
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European Voice, Vol.10, No.43, 9.12.04: MEPs will back Turkey talks, but 'pressure must be kept up' |
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The Economist, No.8406, 18.12.04: Turkey, the European Union and religion. Faith in Europe |
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Financial Times, 22.12.04: Turkey's chance (editorial) |
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Financial Times, 20.12.04: Still a lot to do before we can join EU, warns Turkish prime minister |
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Financial Times, 20.12.04: Turkey could join a very different Europe |
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Financial Times, 18.12.04: A date with Turkey (editorial) |
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Financial Times, 18.12.04: After 41 years, a gulf still divides Turkey and Europe |
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Financial Times, 18.12.04: Ankara accepts deal after war of nerves |
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Financial Times, 18.12.04: Turkey to start talks on entry to the EU |
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Financial Times, 17.12.04: Brussels to give Turkey a reluctant welcome |
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European Voice, Vol.10, No.42, 2.12.04: Rehn: Turkey's full membership is 'clear' target as there is no Plan B |
Related Topic Guides / In Focus
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ESO: Topic Guide: Turkey |
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ESO: In Focus: European Commission President visits Turkey, January 2004 |
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ESO: In Focus: Turkey and the European Union: European Commission adopt Opinion, October 2004 |
Related Publications
Books
Michael Emerson: The European transformation of modern Turkey (CEPS, 2004)
The EU and Turkey: between geopolitics and social engineering (in 'European Union foreign and security policy. Towards a neighbourhood strategy', p48-61)(Routledge, 2004, ISBN: 0-415-32297-9)
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