Turkey closer to EU membership
453469
European Commission President Romano Prodi said today a strong European Union had nothing to fear from Turkey eventually joining the 25-nation bloc.
100140
December 17 2004 1730CET An agreement was reached between the EU and Turkey on basic principles necessary for Turkey to start negotiations to become an EU member.
63729
Turkey has agreed to a deal which will allow talks on EU membership to commence after agreeing to formally acknowledge Cyprus. The main sticking point had been over Turkey&#39;s failure to formally recognise Cyprus.
422179
Turkey declared it had fulfilled all the  political criteria for membership talks with the European Union  on Sunday, three days before a recommendation from the EU's  executive that will give Ankara a green light.
285235
The moment of truth was approaching for Turkey&#39;s bid to join the European Union, EU enlargement chief Guenter Verheugen said Monday, as European leaders prepare to decide whether to open membership talks with the mainly Muslim country.
255365
Turks are confident the European Union will entertain their bid for membership, but they worry the conditions for admission could be tough.
154568
HAMISH ROBERTSON: In an historic decision, the leaders of the European Union have agreed to open membership talks with Turkey, after the Turkish Prime Minister pledged to recognise the Greek-Cypriot Government next year.
463144
ANKARA, Turkey  - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan returned home from a European Union summit Saturday to announce amidst a shower of confetti and fireworks that Turkey "has turned the critical corner" on the way to becoming a member of the group of nations.
364634
The European Union edged closer Monday to giving Turkey the green light on membership talks, but jitters over bringing the relatively poor Muslim nation into the fold prevented a decision on a starting date.
637553
STRASBOURG, France - The European Union has recommend Turkey be put on the path to full membership, a historic move that could push Europe's borders to the Middle East and stoked fears among Europeans wary of bringing a poor Muslim country into the prosperous bloc.    Reflecting widespread misgivings, the 30-member EU executive commission on Wednesday set tough conditions to prevent Turkey from backtracking on sweeping democratic and human rights reforms, prompting a sharp response from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan...
363875
BRUSSELS, Sep 6  (IPS) - Turkey's case for joining the EU improved with  the publication of a report Monday  setting out the advantages  this would bring to the bloc.
221538
The European Commission is set to announce that Turkey is ready to begin negotiations on joining the EU.
265788
After years of delays, the European Union&#39;s head office is likely to recommend that Turkey begin membership talks with the bloc - an endorsement that comes with one key
75958
Turkey expects to start EU entry talks within the first six months of next year, says Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan as hints of a compromise over Cyprus emerged.
135903
Turkey has no more obstacles on its path toward the European Union (EU) entry talks, said a senior EU official here Thursday. Speaking after talks with Turkish Prime Minister
345146
Turkey and the European Union on Friday agreed a compromise to resolve differences over Turkish recognition of Cyprus paving the way for EU membership talks in October.
7555
Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, European Commission chief-in-waiting, said Friday the EU should send Turkey a positive signal on its chances of joining the bloc, as long as Ankara meets the necessary criteria.