Cyprus deal could see new Turkey-EU chapters opened

BRUSSELS

Up to six more chapters on Turkey’s accession into the European Union could be opened next year if negotiations on Cyprus go as planned, a senior Turkish official has said.

In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Turkey’s ambassador to the EU, Selim Yenel said: "If the Cyprus negotiations are concluded as we want them to, then many more chapters could be opened in the next term [2016]…five to six more chapters could be opened."

Chapter 17 on economic policy will be opened on Monday. However, the Cyprus issue remains a major obstacle to Turkey’s accession plans, as several chapters are blocked by the Greek Cypriot Administration.

Out of 35 chapters, which must be completed in order for the country to join the 28-nation bloc, only 13 have been opened.

However, Yenel said the migration crisis has made EU and Turkey relations closer.

"Europe has re-discovered Turkey because of the migration crisis, and we need to put this to good use," Yenel said, adding: "EU-Turkey relations have become accelerated because of the migration crisis."

Visa-free travel for Turkish citizens is expected to be implemented in Oct. 2016 if Ankara meets certain criteria specified in an agreed roadmap.

The European Union will also give €3 billion ($3.1 billion) in funding to meet the needs of more than two million Syrian refugees in the country.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will be in Brussels on Dec. 17 for a meeting between EU heads of government to discuss migration and the fight against terrorism.