Turkey Determined To Join EU-Negotiation Chief

Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, began EU accession talks in 2005 but has made slow progress.

Turkey's first full-time European Union negotiator outlined on Tuesday his country's determination to join the bloc but said Brussels must match this resolve and treat Turkey like other candidates.

Newly-appointed Egemen Bagis joins Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on a trip to Brussels next week at the start of a decisive year for Turkey's membership bid, as Ankara faces EU pressure to speed up reforms and questions over it committment.

Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country, began EU accession talks in 2005 but has made slow progress due to internal divisions, dwindling enthusiasm for the bloc at home and a lack of appetite for further enlargement among EU states.

"We have a steep road in front of us but we are determined to complete negotiations in the end -- no one should doubt this," Bagis told a conference in Istanbul.

"Turkey will be an honourable member of the European Union and not the sick man of Europe."

The opening of a state ministry dedicated to EU relations, a new Kurdish language channel on Turkish state television and a national reform programme signalled Turkey's determination to meeting Brussels' requirements, Bagis said.

"We would like to see the same determination on the side of the EU... previous candidates had certain conditions and we are expecting the same conditions," he added.

Entry negotiations were previously headed by Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, who was criticised in some quarters for a lacklustre performance on EU ties.

Analysts said Bagis' appointment indicates Erdogan is trying to show Brussels that Turkey is serious about its EU ambitions. Europeans have long asked for a full-time EU negotiator.

The EU wants Ankara to reform its constitution and improve freedom of expression, and religious and linguistic rights, to be in line with EU standards.

The bloc has frozen sections of Turkey's entry negotiations -- known as chapters -- over Ankara's refusal to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriots.

With France, Cyprus and Germany blocking various areas and Ankara making slow progress on others, Turkey could run the risk of running out of chapters under active negotiation in 2009.

The EU's latest progress report, issued last November, rapped the country for insufficient reforms in human rights, freedom of speech, and the power of the military.

Business leaders, who strongly back Turkey's bid, have voiced their concern about the recent loss of momentum. Part of Turkey's appeal as an investment destination is its drive to join the EU and further delays in negotiations may start to hurt the economy, which has already seen a sharp slowdown.