Progress expected with Ireland's EU helm

Turkey's foreign minister has said talks would begin in a new policy area in the country's European Union membership negotiations under the rotating helm of Ireland, an initial step to resume Ankara's policy alignment process which have been stalled for the past 2.5 years. "For the first time in a long while, we are happy to open a new chapter, the 22nd, under Ireland's rotating presidency. Our talks [with Irish officials] are continuing. This will be a beautiful sign of our historic friendship with Ireland," Ahmet Davutoglu told Sunday a joint press conference with his Irish counterpart Eamon Gilmore after a bilateral meeting in Istanbul. Turkey began EU accession talks in 2005 and the country has so far opened 13 and completed only one of the 35 policy areas each candidate country must conclude to become a member. Talks in 17 "chapters" are blocked by the Greek Cypriot administration, France and the European Commission due to the Cyprus issue and "shortcomings" in human rights and freedom of speech in Turkey. Davutoglu however added that the opening a single "chapter" was not "a giant step capable of advancing Turkey's negotiations" as a whole.         "The opening of a fresh chapter is a better-than-nothing start for Turkey but spring does not come only with a flower," Davutoglu told the press conference.    The Turkish minister said he discussed also the Cypriot question with his Irish counterpart, adding that initiatives could be undertaken during Ireland's presidency to resolve the long-running dispute in the eastern Mediterranean island.    The Irish foreign minister, on his part, said that the Greek Cypriot administration was currently focused on solving its economic problems, adding, "I hope they will be able to look at the greater political picture once they begin working out their economic issues." Gilmore said Ireland has been a staunch supporter of Turkey's EU accession, adding that the Irish presidency of the EU felt an obligation to move Turkey's membership process forward.