New chapters to be opened in 2013, says head of EU Turkey delegation

The head of the European Union's Turkey delegation, Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert, has stated that 2013 started off well in terms of Turkish-EU relations and said, "We are sure a new chapter will be opened in 2013." Ripert spoke at the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission in the Turkish Parliament on Thursday. Citing the meeting attended by the ambassadors of all the EU countries at the Prime Ministry in Ankara earlier this week, Ripert said Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Turkey had never abandoned its goal of EU membership. Emphasizing the positive effects of the "positive agenda" during the Greek Cypriot administration's EU term presidency, Ripert stated that they are hopeful about the future. "We are sure a new chapter will be opened in 2013," he said. Ripert stated that he had positive expectations in terms of visa and immigration and that the EU is working on a roadmap which is to be discussed with Turkey. Stating that there are parts that Turkey have to complete, Ripert underlined harmonization with the EU with regard to the standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO), public tender legislation and a customs union. Ripert also touched on freedom of expression, press, organization and fair trial and said, "The fourth judicial package was prepared to cover these issues anyway. What is necessary now is to bring this draft to Parliament and have it approved." Irish Ambassador to Turkey Kenneth Thompson stated that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan showed his determination on Turkey's target of full membership in the EU at a dinner he gave for the ambassadors earlier in the week. Thompson touched upon the importance of concluding Chapter 22, which will be opened, and stated that failure would result in a vicious cycle in the negotiation process.