France said yesterday it was ready to unblock talks with Turkey on EU membership over the area of help to EU regions, marking an improvement in relations between the two countries since the arrival of President François Hollande last year.
Turkey began talks on joining the EU in 2005 but has only completed one of the 35 policy "chapters" candidates must conclude to be allowed entry. France has vetoed talks with Turkey on five of those chapters.
While Mr Hollande has stopped short of endorsing Turkey's EU candidacy, he has said it should be judged on political and economic criteria.- (Reuters)