Turkey 'Re-Starts' Bid To Join EU

Stefan Fuele visited the Turkish capital on Thursday to launch a new positive agenda aimed at overcoming the numerous hurdles to the country joining the union.

Our aim is to keep the accession process alive and put it properly back on track, after a period of stagnation, which has been a source of frustration on both sides, Fuele said in Ankara.

Accession talks have been stalled for the past two years, after several EU members blocked Turkey's membership bid.

Out of the 35 chapters required to be completed before it can join the EU, Turkey has only satisfied one.

Ankara also refuses to recognize EU member Cyprus, a further sticking point in its bid for membership.

Moreover, with Cyprus set to take up the rotating presidency in the next few months, analysts have questioned if now is the best time to re-start entry negotiations.

Turkey began its bid for EU membership in 2005 amid a wave of optimism.

But the initial euphoria quickly turned sour as both sides failed to make serious headway.

Citing Turkey's recently drafted civilian constitution, Fuele highlighted the need for the country to address the thorny issue of human rights, particularly with respect to the Kurdish minority.

A new civilian constitution can act as a catalyst and provide a basis for further progress as regards the respect for fundamental rights and freedoms in Turkey, he said.