UK to Act ‘Fast’ in EU Membership Negotiations with Turkey

The UK will try to complete a part of negotiations before 2005 ends and London will work for the speeding up the screening process for the "easy parts" so they can start the "real" negotiations in the last months of 2005.

British diplomats have refrained from comments regarding the course of negotiations. The diplomats point out that London’s policy on Turkey is known worldwide, but that the progress of current term president Luxemburg between July and December will have an influence into a large extent on British actions. This is interpreted as a sign that those who want to make the negotiation process as long as possible could adapt an opposite attitude against London’s speedy steps.

A Tough Job for UK

The consistent support for Turkey’s EU membership bid from the UK does not however reflect the attitude of the Union so far. The British insistence to begin negotiations at 2002 Copenhagen summit failed before the Paris-Berlin axis. After the 24 April 2004 referenda in Cyprus, London fought to lift sanctions against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) but failed on this front as well. Its intention to

begin negotiations in late 2005 will provide great support for both Turkish government and those circles for Turkey’s bid in the Union.

EU Commission’s Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, in a statement to Zaman, said that it is possible to begin negotiations on the "easy parts" in late 2005. Reportedly, science and research, culture, statistics could be some of these parts. According to Commission sources, the screening process for these sections could take 1-2 weeks and following that real negotiations could begin. Agriculture, justice and internal affairs are among the tougher ones and therefore, they will take more time, the sources added.