Pressure on Austria over Turkey talks

PRESSURE was being piled on Austria last night to allow negotiations to open today as planned on Turkey's EU membership bid.

Foreign ministers from the 25 states met in emergency session in Luxembourg to try and find a way around Austria vetoing the start of talks.

Chairing the meeting, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said it was crucial the EU open membership talks with Turkey.

He said the alternative would be a "failure for the European Union."

Before the meeting, Austria's Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik said: "We will work together in a European spirit."

But last night the Austrians were still insisting Turkey be treated differently to any other country seeking membership.

Austria - where 80% of citizens are against having Turkey in the EU - wants the word "accession" removed from the agreement governing how negotiations will be conducted. They want a "possible alternative bond" included which could see Turkey being offered a loose partnership arrangement.

Turkey has threatened to walk away rather than agree to this. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said European leaders must decide if the EU will rise to the challenge of becoming a global power or remain a "Christian club."

Negotiations are expected to last for at least 10 years during which time Turkey will agree to adopt the EU's standards and laws.

The Austrian government's stance was linked to regional elections held yesterday and ministers hoped that once they were finished the attitude would soften. But his party lost the election in the Styria province and as a result loses its majority in the parliament's upper chamber.

Austria is also demanding negotiations start with Croatia. Its application has been delayed until its cooperation with the war crimes tribunal in The Hague improves. UN prosecutor Carla del Ponte may today announce she is satisfied with Zagreb's cooperation.

This would clear the way for talks with Croatia, and perhaps persuade Austria to take a less hostile stance against Turkey.

The Irish Government has said it supports negotiations opening with both countries immediately.