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Turkey Nears Talks to Join EU

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will hold high-level talks with European leaders next week in Holland regarding the prospect of Turkey joining the European Union, according to AFP.

On December 17 EU leaders are expected to meet in Brussels, Belgium where they will decide whether or not to open membership negotiations with Turkey, a candidate since 1999.

If negotiations begin in 2005, talks may be completed within 10 years, making Turkey an EU member by 2015.

Turkey is striving to boost its chances of joining the EU by introducing reforms, especially in minority issues and human rights, to make its own laws more compatible with European codes.

There are debates in Europe whether Turkey’s membership should be contemplated.