Brussels, 26/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - A few days after France's announcement unblocking Chapter 22 of the accession negotiations with Turkey (EUROPE 10785), the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, said on 25 February that she is in favour of opening the chapter. “I have said today that we should open a new chapter in the negotiations”, Merkel told a press conference in Ankara, stressing that she “fully support the negotiations being carried out openly”, even though she is “sceptical about full accession”, instead preferring the option of a privileged partnership.
The Chancellor stated, however, that “until the question of the Ankara protocol is resolved, we will have problems opening as many chapters as it might be fair and right (to open)”. “We will not be able to sign the Ankara protocol unless the process of dialogue on visas with the EU is signed at the same time”, said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan.
“We welcome the progress of the member states in continuing negotiations on new chapters with Turkey”, said the spokesperson to Stephan Fûle, the Commissioner for Enlargement, adding that this is in line with the conclusions of the Council of 11 December. (CG/transl.fl)