GERMANY: Italian's Prime Minister Prodi says Turkey's EU entry will be a long and difficult process

Record ID: 1526235

  • Title: GERMANY: Italian's Prime Minister Prodi says Turkey's EU entry will be a long and difficult process
  • Date: 8th November 2006
  • Summary: PRODI GOES TO THE STAGE (SOUNDBITE)(Italian) PRODI TALKING ABOUT THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION SAYING: "Obviously we could simplify this text, but under no circumstances can we do without the essential points, such as the common Foreign and Security policy or the principle of majority, in order to guarantee that the European Union can function." SPD DELEGATES
  • Embargoed: 23rd November 2006 09:12
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAA1199QLHG3ZN0KZOTVN2UQ88J
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Italian's Prime Minister Prodi said on Tuesday (November 7) Turkey's entry into the E.U will be a long difficult process.
    "There are clear agreements which say there will be negotiations with Turkey, and Turkey has to satisfy certain requirements along the way. That won't always be easy and there will be certain obstacles, but I assume that all involved will want to enter on this course constructively," Prodi said at a meeting of the European Social Democrats in Berlin.
    "There was an engagement by the European countries, I think that we have to go on with the negotiations, after the referendum this will be a long, long process. But I think that in the long run this is something that will be fruitful for both of us."
    The European Union is seeking to defuse a looming crisis with Turkey over Cyprus and lagging reforms, welcoming a pledge to amend a key law on freedom of expression in line with EU standards.
    "There are clear agreements which say there will be negotiations with Turkey," the German Vice Chancellor Franz Muentefering said at the conference, "and Turkey has to satisfy certain requirements along the way. That won't always be easy and there will be certain obstacles, but I assume that all involved will want to enter on this course constructively."
    Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan announced the policy shift on Sunday, three days before a European Commission report expected to sharply criticise Turkey, saying he was ready to change a law used to prosecute writers for "insulting Turkishness".
    The EU executive is to issue a progress report on Wednesday criticising a slowdown in reforms in the year since Turkey began EU membership talks and noting Ankara's failure to meet a requirement to open its ports to shipping from Cyprus.
    Diplomats say the negative findings could prompt EU leaders to suspend, at least partially, accession negotiations with Turkey when they hold a summit on enlargement in mid-December.
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