Cyprus-Forum.com

[brother]

Turkey-EU talks to begin early in 2006: official
AFP: 12/20/2004

ANKARA, Dec 20 (AFP) - Membership talks between Turkey and the European Union are expected effectively to begin early in 2006 and not on October 3 next year as announced Friday after the EU summit in Brussels, a Turkish official said Monday.

The delay is a technical one, because the initial screening process -- in which the legislation of a candidate country is compared with that of the EU -- is unlikely to be completed by then, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"But we are very well prepared (for the screening) and the process should end quickly," he said.

The European Commission in Brussels could not be reached for comment on the report Monday.

The findings of the screening process serve as a basis for negotiations between the EU and candidate states.