"A reluctant betrothal
In the wake of the agreement between the EU and Turkey to begin accession negotiations, both sides appear to be waking to the fact that they do not really want each other after all, writes Gareth Jenkins from Ankara
Olli Rehn, the European Union (EU) commissioner for enlargement, arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara last Thursday in the first visit by an EU representative since the official opening of accession negotiations on 3 October. Yet, far from the visit being hailed as heralding the beginning of a bright new era and cause for national celebration, the public mood was strangely muted. Beneath the official protocol and platitudes lurked an uncomfortable sense that 3 October marked an end to a beginning; and that, far from a love match, relations between Turkey and the EU were more like a reluctant betrothal that both sides know will never end in marriage."
More:Al-Ahram Weekly | International | A reluctant betrothal
