Turkey readies to open new chapter with EU

PARIS - Anatolia News Agency

EU Minister Egemen Bağış said June 12 that Turkey would open a new chapter with the EU over regional policies after three years of deadlock on June 26.

Bağış said the opening of the 23rd and 24th chapters with the candidate countries was high on agenda during his meeting with his French counterpart, Thierry Repentin. “On June 26, we will be in Brussels with Development Minister Cevdet Yılmaz. Turkey will open a new chapter after three years on regional policies,” Bağış said.

Turkey began talks in 2005 but has only completed one of the 35 policy “chapters” every candidate must conclude to join the EU.