Brussels, 04/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - The idea of setting a new deadline for Ankara to come into line with its obligations will be discussed this Tuesday, at an informal meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the French President, Jacques Chirac, diplomats from both countries confirmed on Monday. According to Ms Merkel, who had discussed this possibility immediately after the recommendations of the Commission on continuing accession negotiations with Turkey, an examination clause would allow the European Council to take stock of the dossier on Ankara's application of its commitments on Customs union (EUROPE 9318). Paris is "on the same lines" as Berlin, a French diplomat confirmed, adding that the informal meeting to be held in Mettlach, near Saarbrücken in Germany, would make this position official. Given that Turkey was initially supposed to open up its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and aircraft in 2006, why are there no Commission recommendations on a new deadline, is one of the questions raised on the French side. In its proposal not to open talks in eight key fields and not to close any further chapters until Turkey is fully applying the additional protocol to the Ankara agreement, the Commission did not set a timetable to go alongside its recommendations (EUROPE 9317). In an interview with Reuters, Olli Rehn called on Monday for prudence. "I would ask Chancellor Merkel and President Chirac to look for a balanced solution which on the one hand shows the consequences of non-compliance by a candidate State but at the same time keeps the accession process with Turkey alive, because of its strategic importance for both Europe and Turkey". With the Foreign Affairs Ministers due to come to a decision on 11 December, the question will resurface during the discussions of the European Council of 14 and 15 December, a Finnish diplomat has indicated. (ab)