Press Release: Accession Conference at Ministerial level opens negotiations with Turkey on Chapter 22 – Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural instruments / Turkey and EU restart membership talks

The tenth meeting of the Accession Conference with Turkey at Ministerial level was held in Brussels on 5 November 2013. The Conference opened negotiations on Chapter 22 - Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments. This chapter covers one of the core EU policies, supporting job creation, competitiveness, innovation, economic growth, improved quality of life and sustainable development.

News sources noted the significance of the restarting of the accession negotiations with Turkey after a gap of three years. However, obstacles remain notably over Cyprus, the human rights record of Turkey and opposition by some EU Member States to the concept of Turkey becoming a member of the EU.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: Memo, MEMO/13/958: EU-Turkey: Putting accession talks back on track, new chapter opened http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-958_en.htm

ESO: Background information: The Council opens a new chapter in accession negotiations with Turkey http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-the-council-opens-a-new-chapter-in-accession-negotiations-with-turkey/

BBC News, 05.11.13: EU restarts talks with Turkey after three years http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24825002

Deutsche Welle, 05.11.13: Turkey stumbles over Cyprus on way to EU http://dw.de/p/1ABc1

Euronews, 05.11.13: EU-Turkey talks kick off again http://www.euronews.com/2013/11/05/eu-turkey-talks-kick-off-again/

EurActiv, 06.11.13: Turkey, EU revive membership talks after three-year freeze http://www.euractiv.com/enlargement/turkey-eu-revive-membership-talk-news-531539

EUObserver, 06.11.13: Turkey and EU restart membership talks http://euobserver.com/foreign/122001

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