Van Rompuy sees ‘concrete steps’ in Turkey’s EU bid

Report of a visit by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy to Turkey, May 2013. He suggested that there should soon be 'concrete steps' forward in Turkey's stalled application to join the European Union.

A major reason for the slow progress had been the ongoing dispute over Cyprus. Van Rompuy said it was 'essential' to find a settlement and argued that the discovery of gas reserves off the shores of Cyprus could prove to be the necessary incentive for a peaceful solution 'for the benefit of all Cypriots'.

• Primary Source

European Council: President: Press Release, 23.05.13: Remarks by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy after his meeting with Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/137262.pdf

European Council: President: Press Release, 23.05.13: 'Turkey and the European Union today'. Speech by President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy at the Turkish business association TOBB http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/137241.pdf

EUObserver, 24.05.13: Van Rompuy endorses restart of EU-Turkey talks http://euobserver.com/enlargement/120233

ESO: Background information: Cyprus should reunite, Rehn says http://www.europeansources.info/record/cyprus-should-reunite-rehn-says/

ESO: Background information: France ready to unblock EU-Turkey talks http://www.europeansources.info/record/france-ready-to-unblock-eu-turkey-talks/

EUObserver, 28.05.13: Turkey wants to be included in EU-US trade deal http://euobserver.com/enlargement/120268

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