Talks in Luxembourg on June 12 between Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gun and EU foreign ministers were the first detailed entry talks out of 35 discussions, which are scheduled to be organised by the two sides. EU foreign ministers’ agreement to carry out detailed entry talks with Turkey is considered a positive step for Ankara on its entry to the union. The detailed entry talks should have been carried out several months ago when the EU agreed to hold talks in October 2005. However, eight months have passed and the detailed entry talks between the two sides had not been held. The process has been delayed many times and even nearly broke down at the EU ministerial meeting early this week.

There are a number of reasons. Cyprus, an EU member, which has many contentious issues with Turkey, has raised its voice to protest the process as Cyprus said that Turkey did not follow Ankara Agreement (allowing Cyprus ships and airplanes to enter Turkey), as well as does not recognise the Cyprus Republic. The situation became worse when Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gun announced that he won’t attend the EU ministerial meeting unless the EU agreed to continue talks on the issue. In the past, Turkey and Cyprus have not had good relations. In 1974, Turkey occupied the northern area of Cyprus, in an attempt to build a new federal state under Turkish Cypriots to replace the internationally-recognised Republic of Cyprus.

Since then, reunification of Cyprus and recognition of the country have become a prerequisite for Turkey to join the EU. This is also the main reason the negotiations have been cancelled for such a long time.

During the European Union meeting, EU foreign ministers agreed to warn Turkey that it will bear the consequences if the country does not fully perform its duties. Earlier, the Cyprus Government asked the 24 EU-member countries to put pressure on Turkey so that the country establishes diplomatic relations with Cyprus and allows Greek Cypriot ships and planes to use Turkish ports and airports.

But this is not the only reason. Many European countries, particularly big ones, fear that Turkey will find it hard to be linked with Europe as a large portion of the country is part of Asia, most people are Muslim and the country has an Asian-cultural lifestyle. Moreover, a low average Turkish economy will add a burden for Europe as the continent continues to struggle with the economic difficulties of the 10 new-EU members.

In such a situation, EU’s agreement on starting detailed entry talks with Turkey has opened up new hopes for the country to join the bloc. However, it is only one of the 35 policy "chapters" which need to be agreed upon before Turkey can join.

According to political analysts, though the impasse has been cleared, Turkey’s entry to the EU may be undone in the coming months if both the EU and Turkey do not try their best.