Turkish FM stands firm over EU bid
33532
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stood firm behind Ankara's bid to join the European Union, rejecting calls to recognise Cyprus and dismissing any new conditions to win EU entry.
685567
Turkey will not open up to Greek Cypriot shipping while northern Cyprus remains blockaded, a top Turkish politician said.
326454
The European Union presidency on Tuesday backed a proposal to partially suspend EU membership talks with Turkey because of Ankara's refusal to open up to trade with Cyprus.Comment
197926
The European Commission will not set special conditions for Turkey when it decides Wednesday whether to recommend opening membership talks with Ankara, Commission President Romano Prodi said Tuesday.
451874
Foreign Secretary David Miliband on Friday reiterated London&#39;s continued support for Turkey&#39;s bid to join the European Union during a visit to Spain.
463873
PARIS, Oct 27  - French President Jacques Chirac said Wednesday that Turkey&#39;s EU membership bid was &quot;not a done deal,&quot; although he believed it was in Europe&#39;s best interests, a government spokesman reported after a cabinet meeting.
768535
The European Commission will not set  special conditions for Turkey when it decides Wednesday whether  to recommend opening membership talks with Ankara, Commission  President Romano Prodi said Tuesday.
480718
PARIS: Turkey is not yet ready for entry into the European Union, but the 25-nation bloc cannot reject Ankaraâs membership if it meets all the requirements, the incoming EU Commission chief said on Tuesday.
665650
Turkey will pursue reforms to align itself with European Union norms despite a partial freeze of its membership talks, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has said, describing the EU sanction as only a temporary setback to the country's European aspirations.
312683
Turkey's bid to join the European  Union was back on course Thursday after Prime Minister Tayyip  Erdogan backed down in a row with the bloc over attempts to ban  adultery in his Muslim nation.
487647
French President Jacques Chirac said Wednesday that Turkey's EU membership bid was &quot;not a done deal,&quot; although he believed it was in Europe's best interests, a government spokesman reported after a cabinet meeting.
176467
Turkey was expected to insist on the unconditional backing of European Union powerhouses Germany and France for its bid to join the bloc at three-way talks, amid signs Paris is hedging its bets.
271972
Turkey's Prime Minister kept the EU  waiting on Friday on whether he would accept the terms of its  historic offer to start accession negotiations, leaving  late-night talks with the bloc's presidency without a deal.
439965
EU President Finland said today a Turkish offer to open one port to Cypriot ships did not go far enough and expected member states next week to agree on a partial freeze of accession talks with Ankara.Comment
602613
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan headed to Brussels Wednesday to assure the European Union that Turkey is committed to pro-EU reforms after his party shelved a key reform package amid hard-liners' demands that it include a proposal to outlaw adultery.
712906
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday defended a preliminary gas deal with neighbouring Iran to carry natural gas to Europe, brushing aside US criticism that the Islamic republic is not &quot;reliable.&quot;
738104
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan on Sunday insisted Turkey was keeping open the option of military action against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq and called for greater international support.