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BBC News, UK
Dec 14 2004
Leaders meet over Turkish EU bid
Turkey will be the main issue on the agenda
Tony Blair is meeting Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to talk about Turkey entering the
EU.
The Downing Street talks will cover a range of other topics ahead of
an EU summit in Brussels later in the week.
Mr Blair is an enthusiastic proponent of talks to bring Turkey within
the recently-expanded EU.
Italy and Germany also favour an early start to talks, but there is
scepticism in France and elsewhere.
Some are worried that Turkey's large and rapidly growing population
and low average income might make integration into the EU difficult.
World War I
Some are concerned that a change of government could lead to Turkey
reneging on key human rights reforms it has recently enacted.
And many in France would prefer Turkey to admit that World War I-era
killing of Armenians constituted genocide. There are also issues in
France and the Netherlands over the possible problems of integrating
the first major Muslim nation into the EU.
But Mr Blair and the Labour government have been the staunchest
backers of Turkish accession, provided it sticks with human rights
and economic reform.
Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "The prime minister has regular
meetings with both of them and particularly in advance of European
Councils.
"The key issue at this week's council will be that of Turkey, but
they will also discuss a range of other matters."
Dec 14 2004
Leaders meet over Turkish EU bid
Turkey will be the main issue on the agenda
Tony Blair is meeting Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to talk about Turkey entering the
EU.
The Downing Street talks will cover a range of other topics ahead of
an EU summit in Brussels later in the week.
Mr Blair is an enthusiastic proponent of talks to bring Turkey within
the recently-expanded EU.
Italy and Germany also favour an early start to talks, but there is
scepticism in France and elsewhere.
Some are worried that Turkey's large and rapidly growing population
and low average income might make integration into the EU difficult.
World War I
Some are concerned that a change of government could lead to Turkey
reneging on key human rights reforms it has recently enacted.
And many in France would prefer Turkey to admit that World War I-era
killing of Armenians constituted genocide. There are also issues in
France and the Netherlands over the possible problems of integrating
the first major Muslim nation into the EU.
But Mr Blair and the Labour government have been the staunchest
backers of Turkish accession, provided it sticks with human rights
and economic reform.
Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "The prime minister has regular
meetings with both of them and particularly in advance of European
Councils.
"The key issue at this week's council will be that of Turkey, but
they will also discuss a range of other matters."