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Sat, May 26 2012
European Union opens 12th chapter on Turkish accession
Turkey's foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu, left, Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt, centre, and EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn, right, brief media after an accession conference at the European Union Council headquarters in Brussels no December 21 2009.
Photo: Francois Lenoir
Since 1999, when Turkey was given the status of candidate country, Turkey's European Union accession process lived through ups and, since 2004-2005, downs, EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn said on December 21.
The country had reached stability in the recent past and the opening of negotiations on the environment chapter meant Turkey was moving forward, Rehn said.
The way the EU would treat Turkey would be a test for the EU to find out whether the bloc would be a global player or not, Worldbulletin.net quoted Rehn as saying.The eighth meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference with Turkey at a ministerial level was held on December 21 2009 in Brussels, following the start of negotiations on October 3 2005.
The aim of the conference was to open negotiations on the environment chapter, an EU media statement said.
Though the EU delegation recognised advances Turkey had made, it underlines a number of areas in which the country had not yet met requirements. Turkey was expected to adopt legislation regarding water quality, industrial pollution control and risk management, to establish a River Basin Protection Action Plan, and to build administrative capacity at all levels, including inspection services, the media statement said.
Swedish foreign affairs minister Carl Bildt said that Turkey's accession negotiations had reached a more demanding level, Worldbulletin.net reported.
According to Bildt, the closure of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) by the Turkish constitutional court did cause concern, but he continued to believe Turkey would introduce reforms in the way to the EU.
EU accession has become tougher, compared to 10 or 20 years ago as the bloc becomes more assertive. Bildt said. Further democratic reforms were crucial for Turkey's membership process, he said.
The country had reached stability in the recent past and the opening of negotiations on the environment chapter meant Turkey was moving forward, Rehn said.
The way the EU would treat Turkey would be a test for the EU to find out whether the bloc would be a global player or not, Worldbulletin.net quoted Rehn as saying.The eighth meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference with Turkey at a ministerial level was held on December 21 2009 in Brussels, following the start of negotiations on October 3 2005.
The aim of the conference was to open negotiations on the environment chapter, an EU media statement said.
Though the EU delegation recognised advances Turkey had made, it underlines a number of areas in which the country had not yet met requirements. Turkey was expected to adopt legislation regarding water quality, industrial pollution control and risk management, to establish a River Basin Protection Action Plan, and to build administrative capacity at all levels, including inspection services, the media statement said.
Swedish foreign affairs minister Carl Bildt said that Turkey's accession negotiations had reached a more demanding level, Worldbulletin.net reported.
According to Bildt, the closure of the Democratic Society Party (DTP) by the Turkish constitutional court did cause concern, but he continued to believe Turkey would introduce reforms in the way to the EU.
EU accession has become tougher, compared to 10 or 20 years ago as the bloc becomes more assertive. Bildt said. Further democratic reforms were crucial for Turkey's membership process, he said.
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EUobserver: Bulgaria puts conditions on Turkey's EU membership
Bulgaria has put a price on Turkey's membership - compensation for the Thrace displacement in 1913
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Turkey ranks far below Greece and Spain, and Cyprus for that matter on GDP per capita...which means even if very few people have a lot of money...their backwards mentality leaves other poor Turks out to starve like animals. No country has or ever will be successful unless they take care of their own people. Tukish mentality is still back in the dark ages of czarist rule. Join or not join whatever union you want - that will not change the pigs you are that leave your children poor and uneducated.
Bulgaria WHO? what a joke all of a sudden Bulgarian Gypsies have say so when? Turks have no intentions to Join EU, just taking adventage of it, you think Turkey is strong right now just wait few more years, all the energy coridors and youngest work power one of the 7 country in the World expoerts food, balck sea is full of oil all Turkish neigboors full of oil, best resorts in the World, Bulgaria WHO?hahahaha 20 billion dream on
Most of the Turks do not want to join EU, look at Greece and Spain and others what did they gain nothing Turkish Economy far beter than theirs. Turks are just using to go with the flow so they can get as much out of reforms and some funding ,Turks will never Join the sick family of EU, NEVER
EU is a club built on the ancestry of the Roman empire and the Greek civilization. Turkey has no place in it. Turkey smells of afganistan ...
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained foul, abusive or discriminating language
EU is a Cristian club and will continue to be Cristian and never a global player.
Turks are more open mind than EU, therefore Turks and Muslim world's best interest,stay out of the club that does not have no future.
There are 10 turks in Bulgaria ... So it is just the right tiime to take measures now !
The communists were trying to sell Bulgaria and this will never happen again . Turkey will never join the EU. They will be given some sort of privileged partnership ...
p.s Half of bulgaria is Turks.
Turkey doesnt need EU and 90% dont wont EU, there are 300 million Turks in the world, Thats Azerbajan, Turkmenistan, Kazakistan, Northern Cyprus, Kirgizistan and many more I cant remember, These countrys are the ashs of OTTOMAN and they are all Turkic Speaking countrys, Turks want there own Union in the Middle East, This started years and years ago but finaly it will begin in approx 2015. Look at TurkbirDev.org Demedi Deme Ibraahim.. anlayana :)
The Turks will never invade Bulgaria you idiot there are to many Brits there.
To Robert Chipperfield.
In accordance with you 1000%
There is a slight issue remaining
the Gas and oil pipelines and uncle Sam who sees Turkey as a stepstone to control the Area.
Iran/Iraq/Afghanistan.
Let us see how Turkey will swallow the Kurdish situation, will the 15-20 million Kurds will be recognized a Kurds or will be tossed to Europe as Mountain Turks.
This will show whether the EU is a
democratic fortress or it is a Osmanic oppressive racist society.
And then, there is the Armenian
massacre of 1915.
If someone has to really worry about the possibility of Turkey
joining the EU, it is Bulgaria.
There is enough information already
indicating that the Turks [...]
Read the full comment are going to invade Bylgaria en mass and in no time it will find herself swallowed by the tyranny of 500 years in not so distant past. Qui viva- vera!