Westmacott: Accession talks will begin on October 3

British Ambassador to Turkey, Peter Westmacott said that delivering Europe's commitment to opening accession talks with Turkey on October 3. would be one of Britain's top priorities while leading the European Union presidency. At a press briefing held on friday, the same day that Blair took over the presidency Westmacott quoted the words of Tony Blar saying, "The EU enlargement is not a threat, but an extraordinary and historic opportunity.'' Westmacott stressed that accession talks would start on every topic as of October 3. saying that some topics were easy and some were difficult. Commenting on the Cyprus issue Westmacott said, "The UK Presidency will try to make progress on the Aid and Trade Regulations proposed by the Commission to meet the EU's undertaking to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. It will also support UN Secretary General's efforts to find a comprehensive settlement based on the Annan Plan.'' "The EU Commission should immediately begin screening of the 35 individual chapters after Oct. 3. As soon as the first chapters have been screened, the Member States should agree benchmarks for the opening and closing of individual chapter negotiations,'' he said. The British Ambassador said that, "Turkey should focus on stamping out torture and ill treatment; implementing fundamental freedoms including freedoms of expression, association, religion as well as gender equality; judicial reform, improving the situation in the South East, where firm action against terrorism needs to be accompanied by social, cultural and economic development and liberalizing the economy." Referring to Turkey's signing of the Customs Union Additional Protocol and what it would mean as far as Greek Cypriots are concerned, Westmacott answered that, "If Ankara and Europe interpret the same document differently --like the issue of whether the Turkish ports and airports should be opened to Greek Cypriots or not--experts from the two sides may come together to study the differences on elaboration." And questioned over whether Turkey would not recognize the Greek Cypriots although they were signing the protocol, Westmacott said that he didn't have enough information to comment on this but that signing the protocol was important.Â