EU to start again membership talks with Turkey

European Union ministers agreed Tuesday to reopen Turkey’s accession talks despite reticence from Germany and others over Ankara’s tough crackdown on protests.

Ireland, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said EU ministers had finally agreed to resume membership talks with Turkey after a three-year break.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Tuesday hailed the European Union decision to reopen accession talks with Ankara despite opposition from some member states including Germany.

“Chapter 22 has been opened. This matter is over,” Davutoglu said in televised remarks which came after the EU had agreed to resume membership negotiations with Ankara after a three-year break.