Sweden expects difficult entry talks with Turkey during EU presidency

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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Reinfeldt said that although Sweden was a strong supporter of enlarging the EU, it would take into account views in member states that are more resistant to further expansion when it takes over the presidency on July 1.  

"I will try to push on the negotiations with Croatia and with Turkey. If this will be possible, it is very hard to say today. … We might see a problem to have progress on enlargement this autumn," Reinfeldt was quoted by AFP as telling reporters in Brussels.

He said progress for Turkey would be hard, especially after hostility to its accession became a campaign issue in the recent European Parliament election, in which far-right and anti-immigrant parties made gains in some countries.

"I know that there are differences, and I know this has been in the election campaign in parts of Europe, so it is important for me to say that even though we are a pro-enlargement country, we will be tough on conditionality," Reinfeldt said.

Turkey began EU membership negotiations in 2005, but progress has since largely ground to a halt because of disagreements over the divided island of Cyprus and strong opposition in some member countries like France, Germany and Austria.

ENERGY CHAPTER

Reinfeldt said he hopes the EU would open more chapters with Turkey during Sweden's presidency but added he is not sure if it is possible.

He said it would be wise to start discussing energy matters with Turkey, which could help the EU diversify its energy supplies, but that he needed broad support for that to happen.

He also said it was important for Turkey to meet its requirements to support efforts to achieve a settlement of the Cyprus problem.

"I told them (the Turks) to remember that this in your own hands, you need to speed up the reform tempo. We saw some reforms … but, having said that, we need a lot more reforms to speed up," AFP quoted Reinfeldt as saying.