EU agrees to open talks with Turkey

ISTANBUL, Turkey – With the Turkish prime minister lobbying to the last minute, European Union leaders Thursday night set aside their publics’ fears and reached a historic decision to open membership talks with Turkey late next year.

If the negotiation succeeds, Turkey would become the first Muslim member of the 25-nation European Union and one of the largest. Europe’s borders would be expanded to Iraq and Syria, well beyond what for centuries has been defined as the European continent. And Turkey would gain the recognition that many Turks hope will bring prosperity and solidify a campaign of modernizing reforms.

At a two-day summit in Brussels, Belgium, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso of Portugal early today told reporters that European prime ministers agreed to propose launching talks with Turkey next Oct. 3.

“Tonight the European Union has opened its door to Turkey,” Barroso said.

He urged Turkey to take the date.

“Any lesser considerations should be put aside,” Barroso said, “and Turkey should accept this very good offer.” There was no immediate reaction from Turkish officials. The date is six months later than that sought by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

If they proceed, the EU negotiations are expected to take at least 10 years.

Officials were still working on several outstanding issues late Thursday and early today. Barroso earlier said Turkey would have to recognize the Greek-backed government of Cyprus, which became an EU member last May. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on Thursday evening struck to a hard line, saying Turkey would not recognize the Greek Cypriot government.

But Erdogan earlier sounded more conciliatory. “We are always ready to take new steps on Cyprus, but what is important is the manner of the step,” Erdogan told reporters. “The weighting of the wording is important now.”