EARLY TO SPEAK OF TURKEY’S INTEGRATION INTO EUROPE, FRENCH AND GERMAN LEADERS CONSIDER

The leading countries of the European Union – France and Germany – have worked out a common position on the issue of Turkey’s accession to the EU. These countries propose starting negotiations on the question in mid-2005. As reported by “Arminfo” agency, German sources reported it. The message says that the respective agreement was reached by the French and German leaders in the course of an unofficial meeting in the outskirts of Berlin December 4. After the conversation German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French psresident Jacques Chirac declared that “the common stand” on the question would be presented at the EU summit in Copenhagen December 12-13. In spite of Turkey’s contribution to the struggle against terrorism, the majority of the European leaders consider that it is still early to speak of Turkey’s integration into Europe, the report says. In their opinion, the Turkish leadership needs to advance holding reforms.