(5 Nov 2013) The European Union on Tuesday resumed membership talks with Turkey after they'd been stalled for three and a half years, chiefly because of the country's ongoing dispute with Cyprus.
The new talks focus on regional policy - one of many outstanding issues to be settled before Turkey could join the 28-nation trade bloc.
The EU is refusing even to launch negotiations in eight other areas until Turkey opens its ports and airports to goods from Cyprus, an EU member.
Istanbul residents reacted to the resumption of the talks on Tuesday.
"In a way it's important for Turkey to join the European Union in order for Turkey to progress as a modern, secular nation within the framework of (Turkey's founder Kemal) Ataturk. Because, it is important for a country like Turkey, that's in a sensitive geo-political region, to anchor its politics to a progressive socio-economic model," said resident Umit Orge.
Another resident, Hulya Baltaci, was more reserved about the prospect, saying "there's a definite difference of culture" between Europe and Turkey.
"I don't think this is possible considering the course the country is on now. I find it logical that the European Union does not want us to join its ranks because in their eyes, there really are unfavourable conditions," she said.
Political analyst Elif Cepni believes that Turkey has made positive steps towards joining EU.
"Recently the government formulated lots of legal reforms. And I think the improvements in the legal system were taken positively by the European Union," Cepni said.
She referred to development projects, initiatives to eliminate income inequality and incentives for businesses and investors in the country.
EU nations delayed the negotiations this summer to protest Turkey's crackdown on street protests, which they deemed overly harsh.
Last month, the European Commission, in a report on Turkey's progress toward gaining EU membership, criticised conservative Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government for what it called its "uncompromising stance" against dissent and its failure to protect fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and assembly.
European Commissioner Stefan Fule said on Tuesday Turkey was an important partner for the European Union, but that it hasn't yet delivered on its commitments.
The EU opened negotiations with Turkey in 2005, despite scepticism among some member states about a big Muslim nation being a good fit for the predominantly Christian grouping of countries.
By itself, Cyprus is blocking the talks in a half-dozen areas.
The island was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded after a coup by supporters of union with Greece.
Turkish Cypriots in 1983 declared an independent northern state, only recognised by Turkey.
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