The European Union (EU) and Turkey overcame a last-minute standoff to reach a historic agreement to open membership talks next October at a two-day summit meeting of European leaders in Brussels last Friday. 

The 25 European leaders agreed to open eventual EU membership negotiations with Turkey, albeit under strict conditions.

In a final compromise, Ankara agreed to sign a protocol extending its customs union with the EU to the 10 countries that joined the union in May, including Cyprus, before accession negotiations begin on October 3, 2005.

Although Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan insisted this was in no way a formal recognition of Cyprus, it is no doubt a substantial step that could lead to progress in this area.

If the entry talks, which are expected to begin next October and likely to drag on for a decade or more, are successful, Turkey would become the first broadly Muslim country to enter the EU.

The EU decision represents a victory for Erdogan and his Justice and Democracy Party.

Setting Turkey's long-standing ambition to join the EU at the heart of his policies, Erdogan has enacted a swathe of reforms aimed at meeting the EU's Copenhagen Criteria for starting accession talks, which insist on a stable democracy, respect for human rights, protection of minorities, and a functioning market economy.

Ankara views the offer as a new era of returning to Europe and expects to benefit from new EU financing facilities.

Yet Turkey's path towards membership is likely to be the toughest since Spain joined the EU in 1986.

The country faces deep misgivings from many Europeans about migration and poverty.

Critics fear opening the door to a large, mainly Muslim nation of 71 million would profoundly alter the 25-nation bloc's European and Christian character at a time when many Europeans are questioning multiculturalism.

Ankara needs to win over the hearts and minds of skeptical Europeans by committing to European values, specifically by recognizing the Cyprus republic.

Turkey's refusal to recognize the island country had been seen as the biggest obstacle to opening talks with the EU.

Cyprus has been split into a Turkish Cypriot north and an internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south since 1974.

Ankara only recognizes the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north and does not recognize the official government in the south.

The EU offer requires Turkey to grant effective recognition of the Cyprus republic by the time the entry talks begin.

It appears likely the decades-old impasse will remain a stumbling block in the path to a final agreement.

Nevertheless, Turkey wields influence in the Balkans, Central Asia and the Middle East, and admitting Ankara would extend the EU's borders to the frontiers of Syria, Iraq and Iran.

If Europe wants to play a major global role, this road leads across Turkey, no matter how arduous it might be.

(China Daily December 20, 2004)