Turkish delight: the EU begins accession negotiations

Summary:

More than 40 years after the European Union first opened up the prospect of membership, the Commission stuck to its commitment to begin accession negotiations with Turkey (see www.realinstitutoelcano.org/analisis/647.asp). The decision required a unanimous mandate and it nearly did not happen because of stiff resistance from Austria during 30 gruelling hours of high drama which ended on the very day the talks were due to begin. Austria backed down on its demand that Turkey should be offered an option short of full membership. Ankara angrily rejected this and threatened to turn its back on the EU if it broke its promise and withdrew the prospect of full membership. There was also resistance from France and Germany and wrangling over Turkey's recognition of Cyprus.

• Prif ffynhonnell