Turkey's Eu Entry Hopes Given a Lift

Turkey's hopes of talks on membership of the EU have been given a significant boost by Jean-Claude Juncker, prime minister of Luxembourg, who will have the union presidency in January next year, when the Ankara government wants the negotiations to begin.

Luxembourg takes over the presidency shortly after EU leaders are due to decide whether Turkey has made enough progress on human rights to open talks.

It is one of the biggest and most divisive questions the EU will ever have to address.

Mr Juncker's comments echoed those of Britain and Germany, which both want Ankara in, though the German chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, faces domestic opposition to the admission of a Muslim country with a population bigger than its own. France also remains unenthusiastic.

Mr Juncker said the entry negotiations would be lengthy and difficult, especially on economic issues. They are expected to last for eight to 10 years.

"Turkey's membership will bring problems that no other member has ... Just as there are regions of Turkey which are up to European standards, there are also regions reminiscent of the Third World," he said.

Fuelling the debate, the Dutch EU commissioner Frits Bolkestein was quoted yesterday as saying that Turkey should stay outside and serve as a buffer protecting Europe from the Middle East.

The remarks were reported as senior EU officials met the Turkish foreign minister, Abdullah Gul, to discuss Turkey's membership hopes and the talks on ending the division of Cyprus before the island joins the EU on May 1.