Turkey
Turkey has continued to be in the news since my last report. High on the priority list for Turkey was its application to join the European Union (EU). Internally, Turkey was also focused on efforts to permit the leader of the Justice and Development (AKP), which won a majority in the recent elections for Parliament, to become Prime Minister. And while Turkey itself was more focused on Europe, it continues to be of strategic importance to the United States, because it is the U. ... The EU completed its December meeting in Copenhagen without inviting Turkey to become a member. ... The most vital issue on the table at Copenhagen was the candidacy of Turkey. ... This time, leaders of Turkey’s newly elected government arrived at the meeting with a rigid demand that agreement talks begin no later than next year. Turkish Prime Minister Gul said the EU was guilty of prejudice and accused French President Jacques Chirac of influencing European opinion against Turkey after Chirac criticized Ankara’s negotiating plans.