Brussels, 07/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 6 December, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle called for the opening of chapter 23 on the judicial apparatus and fundamental rights with Turkey. He said that it was important to be able to open chapter 23 which covers so many issues, and he hoped that the efforts to create momentum at the beginning of next year would allow the member states to reach a consensus on this important issue. The opening of chapter 23 would be an important part of a sustainable momentum putting accession negotiations back on track, he said.
Turkish Minister for Justice Sadullah Ergin spoke of the importance of Turkey's enlargement process with the EU. He said that he wanted to do his best to improve the situation, and to confront the obstructions and blockages and get rid of them. He hoped that the situation would improve under the Irish Presidency (which begins on 1 January) and that Turkey would take the project to a new level.
Turkey has frozen its relations with the Cypriot Presidency of the EU because Turkey does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. (CG/transl.fl)