European Union leaders struck a deal Friday securing Turkish promises on the island of Cyprus in return for Turkey gaining the historic prize of a start to EU membership negotiations.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, whose nation holds the EU presidency, told the press "Turkey has accepted the hand we offered them today." "Turkey has taken its European destiny in its own hands."
According to AFP, the accession talks will commence on October 3, 2005, and last at least a decade. The talks will come with a series of tough conditions, including that Ankara recognize the Greek Cypriot government.
Following the announcement, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated "We did not obtain all that we wanted 100 percent," but we can say that it was a success."
