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                       Turkey Seeks to Revive Its EU Bid

   by Dorian Jones

   ISTANBUL - Turkey is showing renewed interest in reviving its stalled
   bid to join the European Union now that Nicolas Sarkozy, one of its key
   opponents, is no longer the president of France. The 27-nation bloc
   also seems keen to put life back into Ankara's membership aspirations.
   The election of French President Francois Hollande has been welcomed in
   Ankara. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Selcuk Unal said there
   already is a positive atmosphere.
   "Well, we hope and wish that relations could improve with the new
   French government. The president of Turkey and the prime minister of
   Turkey have sent messages of congratulations. Prime Minister Recep
   Tayyip Erdogan called President Hollande to congratulate him
   personally, and that was a positive meeting," said Unal.

   Snags on path to EU membership
   Turkey began its negotiations for EU membership in 2005, but made
   little progress because of a dispute with EU member Cyprus and
   opposition from former French president Sarkozy. Sarkozy argued that
   the predominantly Muslim country is not a part of Europe and wanted
   Turkey to accept a special partnership with the EU instead of full
   membership. Turkey rejected the offer.
   Also causing the delay is the opening of so-called chapters with which
   every EU candidate must comply. These relate to everything from the
   environment and human rights to matching EU standards.
   Since talks began, Turkey has addressed just 13 out of 35 chapters, or
   categories, that all EU candidate countries must line up prior to
   membership. No chapters have been opened for two years. Eighteen have
   been frozen - eight by the EU - because of Turkey's refusal to allow
   Cypriot ships to use Turkish ports. France has been using its veto on a
   further five chapters.
   Renewed effort applied
   International relations expert Soli Ozel of the Turkish newspaper
   Haberturk said Ankara will be looking to France's new president to move
   the EU process along.
   "I think basically to lift the blockage on the five articles
   [chapters], which he might do after the parliamentary elections are
   over, depending on the result that he gets. If France unblocks five
   articles, it at least opens up the system," said Ozel. "And I really
   don't think Hollande will go out of his way in order to humiliate the
   Turks. And I think Turkey has also recognized that it really can't
   afford basically to be cross with every other country whose behavior it
   does not like."

   Supporters of Turkey's bid have been working hard to reinvigorate the
   process.
   Turkey and the EU are to open talks aimed at bringing Turkey's
   membership bid back on track, and have launched an initiative to do so
   called "Positive Agenda."
   "The so-called "Positive Agenda" on eight separate areas ranging from
   issues like energy and social policy, where the talks may not be open
   officially, but we are going to have European officials sitting down
   with Turkish officials doing the work," said Richard Howitt, a member
   of the European parliament's committee on Turkey, who has been helping
   the effort.

   Global incentives improve
   The global economy also may be providing a powerful stimulus to
   resuscitating Ankara's bid.
   Diplomatic correspondent Semih Idiz for the Turkish newspaper Milliyet
   said both sides have powerful economic incentives to improve relations.
   "The fact [is] that Turkey is [a] growing market and has new investment
   potential. So the reason for cooperating with Turkey is increasing -
   not necessarily with a view to achieving membership anytime soon, but
   keeping a positive process going."

   Observers warn there still are many obstacles to Ankara's bid. But the
   climate appears to be more favorable. Turkish officials say President
   Abdullah Gul is expected to hold talks with Hollande during a NATO
   summit in Chicago, which begins on Sunday.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/turkey_seeks_revive_eu_bid/727262.htm
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/turkey_seeks_revive_eu_bid/727262.html