Barbaros invites Erdogan to Brussels at delicate time in Turkish-EU relations

As tension escalates between Ankara and Brussels due to the impasse in Turkey's accession talks with the European Union, European Commission head Jose Manuel Barrosso issued a surprise invitation for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Brussels following his Germany visit late this month. Accepting Barrosso's invitation, Erdogan, after concluding his talks in Germany, is expected to proceed to Brussels on March 1. Turkish-EU relations will top their critical meeting, coming after a year-and-a-half hiatus. Erdogan last month came to loggerheads with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over her remarks that Turkey isn't doing enough to solve the Cyprus problem, an issue which is partially responsible for the EU talks impasse. Barrosso's invitation is being interpreted as an effort on the EU's part to establish a face-to-face dialogue with Turkey. During his stay in Brussels, Erdogan is also set to dedicate a new building for Turkey's permanent EU representation. Besides a meeting with Merkel, in Germany Erdogan will help open the CEBIT fair in Hanover, and meet with Turkish expatriates in Dusseldorf.