The opening of European Union membership talks with Turkey on Tuesday marks a milestone, but the predominantly Muslim nation's entry into the bloc is
By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
The opening of European Union membership talks with Turkey on Tuesday marks a milestone, but the predominantly Muslim nation's entry into the bloc is "neither guaranteed nor automatic," the European Commission president said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul joined his 25 European Union counterparts for a middle-of-the-night ceremony to formally open the negotiations, 42 years after Turkey took its first step toward requesting membership.
"Today is a milestone in the relationship between the European Union and Turkey," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.