THE HAGUE, June 30: The European Union's incoming Dutch presidency warned its partners on Wednesday against imposing conditions out of the blue on Turkey before the country can finally win a date to open EU entry talks.
The prospect of the vast Muslim-majority country joining the EU has provoked fierce debate within the bloc over whether it is truly European and has made enough progress towards democratic norms.
But for Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, anything less than an objective appraisal of Turkey's chances by EU leaders at a December summit would be grossly unfair.
"The question is whether, by that time, Turkey will have stable institutions that safeguard democracy, the rule of law and human rights," he told reporters. -AFP
