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Sceptical Merkel wants Turkey-EU talks
Published: 24 Feb 13 07:29 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20130224-48159.html
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday said despite remaining skeptical, she favours opening up a "new chapter" in talks related to Turkey's bid to join the European Union, saying the discussions need to move forward.
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But she "a long path of negotiations lies ahead of us. Although I am sceptical, I have approved the continuation of the membership discussions."
The comments were made a day before Merkel leaves for a two-day visit to Ankara where she is set to meet President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with whom she is expected to discuss Turkey's EU ambitions.
Turkey's efforts to join the 27-member bloc have stalled in recent years, largely because of the long-running dispute with Cyprus and fierce opposition from other EU member states including France.
Stumbling blocks include Turkey's human rights record, its large Muslim population and the eurozone debt crisis, which tested confidence in the bloc's own future.
Of the 35 so-called policy chapters EU candidates must negotiate, Turkey has opened talks on only 13.
Turkey, an associate member of the old European Economic Community since 1963, first sought to become an EU member in 1987 but did not launch formal accession talks until 2005.
In an interview published in regional daily Passauer Neue Presse on Saturday, Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle called for an acceleration of the talks.
"If we don't pay attention, the time will come when Europe will be more interested in Turkey than Turkey is interested in Europe."
He said he is working with his European colleagues to open up blocked policy chapters.
AFP/mw
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Your comments about this article:
What Turkey would bring is yet another source of cheap labour and a pushing down of wages throughout Europe.
But as with so many E.U. decisions none of the electorate will be given a say, not a great surprise that there is a growing dislike and distrust of the E.U. in Europe.
Cheap labour at any cost is needed for her German corporate friends to compete with China. Either that or they will relocate there. The never ending spiral of Dr. Merkyl eventually flying up her own a$$.
Germans, wake up..
Turkish, go back to turkey, u will have more and better jobs there
Less and less people in Turkey are willing to join this eu thing. Travelling freely is enough and that`s it. I totally see Europe as the talking dead, no dynamism, no creativity, no movement and parochial point of view.
These border, nationality, union stories are damn boring anymore.
Turkey. Sorry, turkish isn't an european culture, it's middle eastern. They should create a Middle Eastern Union. Nothing against the culture or the people, but Europe has boundaries. Plus, they would become an easier door for radical islamists to get into Europe. Europe can make agreements with them concerning economical partnerships, etc. but no Schengen, no Euro.
half baked knowledge is very dangerous, my friends.
Turkey is a booming economy with Increased +8.49 % growth of total GDP $1.288 Trillion. Our growth is 0.9% (2012 estimate). Turkey has gained great economic social and political influence all over the world in the last 10 years and its increasing.
Fact is we will be looking for Jobs in Turkey in next 10 years. There is a reason that we have "suddenly" felt close to Turkey and opened a new Chapter. we need them more than they need us.