Brussels, 20/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - Meeting on Wednesday, the Ambassadors of the 25 Member States approved the EU common positions on three chapters in accession talks with Croatia. Negotiations on Chapters 17 (economic and monetary union), 20 (enterprise policy and industrial policy) and 29(customs union) will be formally opened on Thursday 21 December, at an accession conference with Croatia at deputy level.
Also on Wednesday, Member States' permanent representatives endorsed the results of the screening of Chapter 18 (statistics) of negotiations with Croatia and Chapter 20 (enterprise policy and industrial policy) in talks with Turkey. The two applicant countries will now be invited to present their negotiating positions in these areas. An EU common position, based on a Commission proposal, will then be adopted by Member States, with the result that the launch of negotiations will not take place under Finnish Presidency. “The Commission welcomes today's decision by Member States as a step towards the implementation of the Council's decision of 11 December,” said Olli Rehn's spokeswoman about the situation with regard to Turkey. This advance will bring no visible immediate result, but will allow a process where no decision have been taken since the summer to be re-engaged and may be seen as a “political gesture,” said another diplomat. (ab)