EU door is open to Croatia and Turkey as dates are set for talks to start

10.34.10am GMT Fri 17th Dec 2004

European Union Leaders have tonight agreed to allow talks to start with both Turkey and Croatia over EU membership. The talks will start in April for Croatia and in October for Turkey and could last for ten years or more. This is fantastic news and will help Croatia, Turkey and the European Union and increases the chances of peace in Cyprus.

With Croatia talks will only begin if the country co-operates fully with the UN war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

With Turkey there are some potential problems, the recognition of Cyprus being just one and the need to improve their human rights record and civil liberties.

Hopefully both countries will ultimately become members of the European Union and other countries outside apply for membership.