A yellow card for Ankara

Jean-Francois Verdonnet considers that the climate has changed in Turkey. "In one year, the EU has lost its appeal. The perspective of accession, which mustered together most public opinion no longer appears to justify either the sacrifices demanded or the rebuffs that have been suffered. The negotiations, by specifying litigations, have increased a feeling of distance and a mixture of bitterness and resignation. The dead-lock is not however insurmountable. Ankara can count on allies such as Tony Blair who are ready to defend its cause. As for the rest, no matter what their ulterior motives may be, not one of the partners cares to question the negotiation process. Turkey, finally, will not be able to immediately give up the prospect of accession that has been orienting its foreign policy for four  decades."

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