"EURASIA INSIGHT
TURKEY APPLIES LAST-MINUTE PRESSURE FOR EU 'YES' DECISION
Mevlut Katik 12/15/04
On the eve of a crucial summit that may determine the outcome of Turkey�s 41-year campaign for European Union membership, Brussels has mulled fresh conditions for Ankara to meet before accession talks could begin. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayipp Erdogan was sharply critical of proposed new criteria, cautioning the EU that it would be making a 'historic mistake' if it rebuffed Turkey�s membership bid.
Among the most sensitive draft conditions reportedly under consideration by the EU�s Dutch presidency is a stipulation that Turkey recognize 10 countries -- including Cyprus, which joined the EU in May -- as members of the bloc before membership talks can begin. Such a move would amount to de facto recognition of Cyprus itself � a difficult demand for Ankara to meet given its own support of the self-declared Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island. "
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