US, Italy expect start of Turkey talks

The U.S. representative to the EU, Rockwell Schnabel, speaking at a news briefing at the American Embassy in Ankara said that Turkey has gone through "major changes" in the last few years. However, it would still take a long time to achieve the target of "full membership."

Citing that the U.S. has supported Turkey’s EU quest he said: "Our attitude concerning this issue is known. We are openly supporting the new initiatives on Turkey’s path to EU membership, as we have done in the past," Schnabel was quoted as saying by Anatolia.

Schnabel added his country wanted "a strong, independent, democratic and wealthy Europe" that would be for the benefit of both Europe and the U.S.

The EU Commission recommended to the EU Council, in its report issued last month, to start accession talks with Turkey, saying that the candidate had fulfilled the EU criteria.

While the commission’s recommendation heated up domestic debates over Turkey’s entry to the bloc in the member countries strong U.S. support for Ankara, however, led to quarrels between Washington and Brussels, such as the one between U.S. President George W. Bush and French President Jacques Chirac in June during the last NATO summit in Istanbul. The European leaders considered the American support as interfering in the EU’s domestic affairs.

But yesterday, a European official appeared to take the same line as Washington. Italian Minister Mirko Tremaglia, minister responsible for Italians overseas, said he was sure that the EU leaders would set a date for the start of Turkey talks.

"I have no doubt that the EU will set a date for starting negotiations with Turkey, Turkey is a part of Europe," said Tremaglia and quoted as saying by Anatolia.

Meanwhile, Turkish Ambassador to France Uluc Ozulker said France should abandon finding new excuses against Turkey’s EU bid and determine its attitude on the issue, said Anatolia.

Speaking to French daily Metro, earlier in the week, Ozulker said France was concerned for its own future within the EU. French people believed Turkey’s accession with its huge population, would not make things smooth for them within the union, he added.

"You have the right to decide whether we are to enter the EU, but you do not have the right to decide upon our identity. We are Europeans," Ozulker said