EU Ministers In Showdown Turkey Talks
Austria is set for a showdown with other EU countries today over Turkey's application for membership. Turkey says it will not take part in accession talks on Monday without the promise of becoming a full member. But Austria wants it made clear the Turks may end up with a "partnership" deal instead. British government officials have been working frantically behind the scenes to avoid a diplomatic and political disaster. Britain regards the planned accession talks as one of the high points of its current EU presidency. But the last-minute objections from Austria are threatening to scupper the deal. The 24 other member states are happy with the terms on the table. EU foreign ministers will hold emergency talks in Luxembourg on Sunday night. Note EU-Digest: the above again highlights the weakness of the EU decision making process as a result of not having a constitution, which would have provided for majority voting rules. At this point the European political process can be paralyzed by one country holding out against the 24 other members.
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