Brussels, 28/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - Member states have agreed on the criteria for opening chapter 22 of membership negotiations with Turkey on regional policy and the coordination of structural instruments, the commissioner for enlargement, Stefan Füle, announced on the social network Twitter, on 28 February. He explained that this is one step more towards opening a new chapter in accession talks. The decision was made within the Coreper by the member states' ambassadors. According to a European source, the Irish Presidency of the EU Council has informed the Turkish government of the decision. An action plan and related timetable must now be prepared by Turkey. Once ready, these will be assessed by the Commission and the Council will then examine the question of opening the chapter.
According to an Irish spokesman, the Irish Presidency wishes to make progress on membership talks with Turkey including, if possible, by opening this chapter, which is one of the ambitions of the Irish Presidency. No chapter was opened during the period of Irish presidency during the first half of 2010.
France, which blocked the opening of the chapter, announced on 12 February that it waived its veto (see EUROPE10785). (CG/transl.jl)