Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 12 / Trend , G.Dadashova /
The European Commission reported that the accession negotiations with Turkey have regrettably not moved into any new areas for over a year.
"Turkey's EU-accession process remains the most effective framework for promoting reforms, developing dialogue on foreign and security policy issues and strengthening economic competitiveness," the report posted on the EU website reads.
The Commission is concerned about the recent tensions in relations between Turkey and Cyprus.
Turkey sent a ship to drill for gas and oil in waters to the north of the divided island of Cyprus, after the Government of the Republic of Cyprus announced that drilling for gas had begun in waters to the south east
"A new positive agenda in EU-Turkey relations needs to be developed, to enable a more constructive relationship based on concrete steps in areas of common interest," the report reads.
Today the European Commission reported on the progress towards EU accession made by the Western Balkans, Turkey, and Iceland over the past year . Commissioner Stefan Fule presented the annual Enlargement Package.
Turkey started accession talks on 3 October 2005. There are only three chapters remaining which are not politically blocked. Talks on the rest of the chapters are suspended due to French objections as well as the Cyprus problem.