Thursday, September 29, 2005

EUPolitix.com - Austria obstructs EU Turkey talks

"Austria obstructs EU Turkey talks

Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel is blocking an EU deal on Turkey – by insisting that the ‘negotiating mandate’ with Ankara should spell out the option of less than full membership.

EU–Turkey negotiations are currently ‘open-ended’ but work to the ultimate goal of full membership.

Vienna argues that Brussels should provide a ‘privileged partnership’ option if Turkey fails to make the grade.

“We need an alternative that would ensure Turkey would remain bonded as strongly as possible to the EU,” Schussel told FT Europe."

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