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| Europe |
| Turkey's accession to EU faces impasse |
| 2011-01-29 |
| [Iran Press TV] Turkey is facing an impasse over joining the European Union as the members of the bloc have still blocked a major part of its accession chapters after reviewing a few ones. Only 13 of 35 accession chapters have been opened, while 18 others are currently blocked by EU countries, a Press TV correspondent reported Thursday. Turkey's top EU negotiator Egemen Bagis says that Brussels needs to show more good will. Turkey, which straddles Asia and Europe, entered formal membership talks with the EU in 2005, but a row with Cyprus and reluctance among some EU states to admit Turkey has slowed progress to a near standstill. Cyprus has been the main official reason for the freeze. The whole island is a member of the EU. However, The infamous However... EU laws do not apply in the north of the island, which is governed by Turkey and is known as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized only by Turkey. The two sides of the island, the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, have not yet achieved reunification. Because Cyprus is an EU member, Brussels requires Turkey to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriots. But Ankara says it will do that only when the EU, as promised, lifts the Turkish part of Cyprus from economic isolation by allowing it to trade directly with EU member states. Ankara says the EU has not kept its word due to opposition from Greek Cypriots, who say this would amount to EU recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Analysts say the major unspoken reason is that Turkey is a strong, Mohammedan nation. Because of its size, Turkey would have significant decision-making power in the EU, something observers say makes many Europeans uneasy amid growing Islamophobia on the continent. Turkey now has the fastest growing economy in Europe. Its population is younger than that of the European Union and it has long been known as a bridge between the East and the West. |
| Posted by:Fred |