EU Approves Turkey, Croatia Entry Talks

7 February 2006 -- The European Commission today recommended opening the first of 35 chapters of detailed admission talks with Turkey and Croatia.

The commission recommended to member states that both candidates begin detailed negotiations on science and research, one of the least complex of the 35 chapters.

The EU agreed in October to start entry negotiations with Turkey after overcoming last-minute opposition, notably from Austria.

Croatia was given the EU's approval up at the same time. Zagreb hopes to join  the EU in 2009, although the bloc has refused to set a  timetable.

It is unclear when the talks will actually start, although the current Austrian EU presidency hopes to start them before it ends its six-month term at the helm of the bloc at the end of June.

(Reuters, AFP)