By Daniel Forman - 3rd October 2005
The entry of such a large Muslim state was proof that we can live, work and prosper together
Jack Straw
Talks over Turkish membership of the EU are underway after foreign secretary Jack Straw helped secure a last-minute deal.
The discussions began in the early hours of Tuesday following marathon negotiations that threatened to spark a new political crisis across the continent.
Britain, chairing the meeting as the current EU president, broke down opposition to opening talks after Austria was left isolated as the only objector to the deal requiring unanimity among the EU's 25 existing members.
An agreement to open accession talks with Croatia at the same time, following confirmation from the UN's chief war crimes prosecutor that it was cooperating "fully" with The Hague, was thought to be the decisive factor.
An original 5.00pm deadline had been missed on Monday after the Ankara administration rejected Austria's suggestion that Turkey be offered an alternative to full membership.
However Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul arrived in Luxembourg late in the night to welcome an "historic point" and "new era".
"The text sets out very clearly the prospect of full membership. There is no alternative option," he said.
Following a 43-year campaign from Turkey, negotiations are now expected to take around 10 years, with resistance expected from a wider range of countries, potentially including France and Germany.
But Straw argued that by offering the prospect of membership, the EU was successfully applying pressure on Ankara to improve its human rights record, as well as tying Europe in with the Muslim world.
He said it had been "a pretty gruelling 30 hours of negotiations" but a "truly historic day for Europe and the whole of the international community".
"I have no doubt that if bringing Turkey in is the prize, it is worth fighting," the foreign secretary added.
"The entry of such a large Muslim state was proof that we can live, work and prosper together."
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd