Austria will hold referendum on Turkey’s EU membership

A national referendum will be held on Turkey’s EU accession, regardless of the outcome of negotiations between Brussels and Ankara, Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann announced on Tuesday (May 3rd) after meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Vienna. Gul stressed that Turkey’s membership could provide commercial benefits to bloc members, including Austria. At a Turkish-Austrian business forum, he stressed alternative energy resources. “Turkey is one of the most successful countries in terms of hydroelectric power plants … and one of the world’s most important countries in terms of pipelines,” Gul said.