Straw ‘reasonably confident’ over Turkey’s EU bid
Foreign secretary Jack Straw remains “reasonably confident” Turkey will eventually gain full membership of the European Union.
Britain – the current holder of the rotating EU presidency – is backing Turkey’s accession bid.
After the two-day gathering of the EU’s 25 foreign ministers in Newport, south Wales, Mr Straw said: “As ever when you are facing contingencies, it is unwise to say you are certain, but I am reasonably confident.”
EU foreign ministers are due to hold preparatory talks on the fate of the predominantly Muslim country on October 3rd.
Other EU states such as France and Austria want Ankara to consider “special partnership” status.
French President Chirac has pledged a national referendum on the issue should accession talks be offered to Turkey.
But Turkey’s foreign minister, Abdullah Gul, said this week he will accept nothing less than full blown membership.
Mr Gul told the Economist: “Should [the EU] place anything short of full membership, or any new conditions, we will walk away. And this time it will be for good.”
Turkey is home to 72 million people.
