EU could release “tough” report on Turkey

The upcoming annual Progress Report from the European Union for Turkey is expected to be the “toughest” yet, but the bloc remains eager to launch talks for a new negotiation chapter.

The bloc feels that a new negotiation chapter would help keep Ankara anchored to the union and its values, the diplomat said. The next progress report is due to be released on Oct. 16. The General Affairs Council of the EU will discuss launching talks with Turkey on Chapter 22, Regional Policies, at its upcoming meeting on Oct. 22. At the meeting, members of the union are likely to agree to launch negotiation talks with Turkey on a new chapter, despite the hesitations of some member countries due to way the Turkish government tackled the Gezi Park protests, the diplomat added.

Although Germany and the Netherlands have hesitations, the EU apparently wants to keep Turkey “on board.”