The European Union will begin accession negotiations with Turkey
Government Information Unit
Press release 407/2004
17 December 2004
The European Council, that met in Brussels on 16 and 17 December, decided that accession negotiations with Turkey will be opened on 3 October 2005. The negotiations will be opened provided that Turkey has, by the aforementioned date, brought into force the six specific items of legislation identified by the European Commission. The EU Member States welcomed Turkey's decision to sign the Protocol regarding the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement which can be interpreted as a step towards the fact that Turkey intends to recognise the Republic of Cyprus.
The European Council called for the finalisation of the Accession Treaty with Bulgaria and Romania with a view to its signing in April 2005. The countries are to accede to the Union in January 2007. The accession negotiations with Croatia will be opened in March 2005 provided that there is full cooperation with ICTY.
The European Council discussed the work accomplished in the fight against terrorism. The European Council called for prompt implementation of all agreed measures. In particular, the exchange of information between counter-terrorism related services is to be improved.
The European Council took note of the Presidency Progress Report on the intensive work undertaken on the Commission's 2007-2013 Financial Framework proposals. The aim is to reach political agreement on the Financial Framework by June 2005.
The European Council adopted the EU Drugs strategy 2005-2012. The Strategy will be a key instrument to effectively confront drugs use and trafficking. The European Council exchanged views with the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who had been invited to the meeting, on the threats and challenges of the 21st century, the concept of collective security and ways to combat poverty.
In the context of the European Council meeting, the EU Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in Ukraine and they also touched on Iran, the situation in the Middle and transatlantic relations. The European Council adopted a separate declaration on Ukraine in which it emphasises the opportunities offered by the European Neighbourhood Policy and the relevant Action Plan for enhancing the relationship between the EU and Ukraine. The declaration on the Middle East Peace Process encourages Israelis and Palestinians to continue to co-operate closely with a view to ensuring the Palestinian Presidential elections. As regards China, the European Council reaffirmed the political will to continue to work towards lifting the arms embargo.
Further information: Antti Peltomäki, State Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2180, and Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs, tel. +358 9 1602 2182, Government Secretariat for EU Affairs