Erdogan gets French, German backing for EU bid

President Jacques Chirac said that France would vote in favour of starting membership talks with Turkey when the EU met in December. Speaking in Berlin after holding discussions with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Chirac said that both countries backed Turkey’s accession bid.
“This decision will be based on the recommendations of the European Commission, whose favourable conclusion we know and I agree with too,” Chirac said. “However there will then be a long-term process of negotiations which could last 15 years.”
Chirac was in Berlin for a three way meeting with Schroeder and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the question of Turkey’s membership process, which he warned could take up to 15 years.
Schroeder also threw his weight behind giving Turkey a date to start membership talks.
“We are both of the opinion that on December 17 it is about a decision that should give Turkey the opportunity to negotiate with the Commission with the explicit aim of Turkey joining the European Union and with no other aim,” Schroeder said.
Following his evening meeting with Chirac and Schroeder, Erdogan said that he was well satisfied with the expressions of support from both leaders.