France ready to unblock EU-Turkey talks

EUObserver reported that France made it clear in February 2013 that wanted to 'give a new impetus' to Turkey's EU membership talks, allowing negotiations to resume after a break of almost three years.

Later in the month EUObsertve reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had backed France on re-starting EU accession talks with Turkey. The sentiment was shared by German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, using more diplomatic words.

Also in February 2013 Germany's European Commissioner, Gunther Oettinger, caused a stir by telling a think-tank in Berlin the EU would one day 'crawl to Ankara on its knees to beg the Turks' to join the EU.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Turkey and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/relations-with-turkey/

ESO: Background information: Turkey: EU political benchmarks 'were never given to us http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-eu-political-benchmarks-were-never-given-to-us/

EUObserver, 25.02.13: Germany ready to re-start EU-Turkey talks http://euobserver.com/enlargement/119178

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