Britain Pressures EU for ‘Few Talks’

Reportedly, negotiations between Great Britain, which will take over the EU term presidency from Luxemburg from July 1st on, and the EU Commission for a few talks to be opened before 2005 ends and ‘London is willing and hopeful on this issue.’ Sources from the Commission indicate that a large part of authorization over a few easy negotiations to be opened in 2005 and even one to be closed if possible will belong to the term president, which will be Great Britain before October 3rd, the date membership negotiations with Turkey will start.

It is also noticed that Great Britain is "determined in this issue" and "has started negotiations on technical details" with the Commission. British diplomats, who spoke to Zaman, continue their cautious attitudes. The same sources emphasize that Great Britain ascribes a big importance to Turkey’s EU membership and supports it. At the moment, though, it is too early to speak about whether or not any talks will be opened to negotiation before the end of 2005.