Posted on 12/17/2013 8:18:23 AM PST by mac_truck
Turkey and the EU are scheduled to sign an agreement on Monday that the two sides say should clear the way for the lifting of visa restrictions and the repatriation of illegal migrants as well as making headway in an often difficult relationship.
The signing in Ankara of the deal for Turkey to readmit migrants and the beginning of talks on visa-free travel comes amid other indications of ties improving. These include the recent resumption of EU membership negotiations after a three-year pause and a visit to Brussels next month by Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prime minister.
But many Turkish officials still consider Brussels insincere in its offer of EU membership, while European officials privately voice serious doubts about Mr Erdogan’s remaining appetite for EU-inspired reforms.
Last week EU officials also voiced concern about press freedom in Turkey. Asked to account for the contrast between the warming institutional ties and concerns about human rights, one official said Brussels had little option but to see the “glass half full”, given Turkey’s strategic importance and the hope that improved ties would encourage reform.
Brussels is chock-full of idiots and criminals.
Eurabia is a suicide pact.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.