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FRANCE VOWS TO REKINDLE TURKEY'S FROZEN EU BID
ANKARA
Turkey may soon come in from the cold in terms of its EU bid as its
biggest skeptic, France, vows to lift blocks on its accession chapters
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/france-vows-to-rekindle-turkeys-frozen-eu-bid.aspx?pageID=238&nID=40177&NewsCatID=338
FM Davutoglu is seen with his French counterpart Fabius in this July
2012 photo. AP Photo
France is expected to submit new proposals to accelerate Turkey's
accession talks with the union as Paris sends strong signals that
it is prepared to lift its block on at least one accession chapter
during Ireland's current bloc term presidency.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is expected to make the
statement during a meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
this weekend in Munich, where both men will attend an annual security
conference, diplomatic sources told the Hurriyet Daily News yesterday.
"Fabius will voice new proposals and will provide information on Paris'
intention to lift its block on the chapter on economic and monetary
policy," a source speaking on condition of anonymity said.
Five chapters were unilaterally blocked by France during former
President Nicholas Sarkozy's rule. But following the election of
Francois Hollande last year, Paris softened its position on Turkey's
accession process.
Amid the new thaw, expectations are growing that the process will
act as a catalyst for Turkey's accession talks with the union.
Reviving long-stalled EU accession talks will top the ministers'
agenda, and the pair are expected to discuss a road map that would
aid their cooperation to this end.
Elections in Greek Cyprus could also create a better climate between
Turkey and the EU, according to sources. However, European diplomats
have questioned Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent statements
that Turkey could join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization if the
EU drags its feet on Turkish membership.
Paris to explain Mali
Davutoglu and Fabius are also expected to discuss the developments in
Mali. France launched a heavy military campaign against fundamentalist
groups in northern Mali after the central government demanded help
from France on Jan. 10. Turkey was among the opponents of the French
offensive and publicly expressed its unease with the move. Fabius
wanted to meet Davutoglu in Davos but the two could only communicate
through a phone call by the Turkish minister late Jan. 26.
According to sources, Fabius told Davutoglu that French troops
launched the operation following an official Malian request that
armed fundamentalist groups were advancing toward the capital, Bamoko.
The French plan is to stop the militant groups and to protect the
territorial integrity of Mali, sources said, adding that it would
completely withdraw from the country after a political agreement is
reached through political consultations.
Fabius also asked for Turkish help to this end but did not receive a
concrete answer form Davutoglu, sources said. The two ministers will
further discuss ongoing developments in Syria and the international
community's failure to establish a strong and common front against
the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
January/31/2013
ANKARA
Turkey may soon come in from the cold in terms of its EU bid as its
biggest skeptic, France, vows to lift blocks on its accession chapters
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/france-vows-to-rekindle-turkeys-frozen-eu-bid.aspx?pageID=238&nID=40177&NewsCatID=338
FM Davutoglu is seen with his French counterpart Fabius in this July
2012 photo. AP Photo
France is expected to submit new proposals to accelerate Turkey's
accession talks with the union as Paris sends strong signals that
it is prepared to lift its block on at least one accession chapter
during Ireland's current bloc term presidency.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is expected to make the
statement during a meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
this weekend in Munich, where both men will attend an annual security
conference, diplomatic sources told the Hurriyet Daily News yesterday.
"Fabius will voice new proposals and will provide information on Paris'
intention to lift its block on the chapter on economic and monetary
policy," a source speaking on condition of anonymity said.
Five chapters were unilaterally blocked by France during former
President Nicholas Sarkozy's rule. But following the election of
Francois Hollande last year, Paris softened its position on Turkey's
accession process.
Amid the new thaw, expectations are growing that the process will
act as a catalyst for Turkey's accession talks with the union.
Reviving long-stalled EU accession talks will top the ministers'
agenda, and the pair are expected to discuss a road map that would
aid their cooperation to this end.
Elections in Greek Cyprus could also create a better climate between
Turkey and the EU, according to sources. However, European diplomats
have questioned Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent statements
that Turkey could join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization if the
EU drags its feet on Turkish membership.
Paris to explain Mali
Davutoglu and Fabius are also expected to discuss the developments in
Mali. France launched a heavy military campaign against fundamentalist
groups in northern Mali after the central government demanded help
from France on Jan. 10. Turkey was among the opponents of the French
offensive and publicly expressed its unease with the move. Fabius
wanted to meet Davutoglu in Davos but the two could only communicate
through a phone call by the Turkish minister late Jan. 26.
According to sources, Fabius told Davutoglu that French troops
launched the operation following an official Malian request that
armed fundamentalist groups were advancing toward the capital, Bamoko.
The French plan is to stop the militant groups and to protect the
territorial integrity of Mali, sources said, adding that it would
completely withdraw from the country after a political agreement is
reached through political consultations.
Fabius also asked for Turkish help to this end but did not receive a
concrete answer form Davutoglu, sources said. The two ministers will
further discuss ongoing developments in Syria and the international
community's failure to establish a strong and common front against
the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
January/31/2013