08/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - Visiting Ankara on 7 January, the German foreign minister, Guido Westerwalle, spoke in favour of Turkey's membership of the EU. In line with what had been agreed when talks were opened in 2005, Turkey has “real prospects of membership” although it does not yet meet the criteria set and it is impossible to set a timetable for accession, Mr Westerwalle said. Comments made by the minister, who underlined that he was speaking on behalf of his country, have caused tension within the governmental coalition in which the CDU headed by Angela Merkel is calling for a “privileged partnership” rather than for accession. The third governmental partner, the CSU, is even contemplating calling for accession negotiations to be halted. It was in addressing the CSU meeting in Wildbad Kreuth, that the new president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, chose to make his first major speech on 7 January. He did not, however, mention Turkey. (H.B./transl.jl)