The European Union on Friday continued to be in a deadlock over a draft framework of negotiations with Turkey just three days before the European side is scheduled to launch entry talks with Ankara.
"The document is not yet agreed by all (EU) delegations, an official from the current UK Presidency of the EU told reporters in Brussels Friday afternoon.
The UK Presidency has called an emergency meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg on Sunday evening to review the issue. "We will adopt the negotiating framework as soon as ministers can reach agreement on it. Simple as that," said the official speaking on condition of anonymity.
The EU deadlock follows Austria's insistence that Turkey be offered a special partnership with the EU as alternative to full membership.
Turkey claims it will not accept anything less than full membership. Turkey's foreign minister Abdullah Gul has even threatened he will not go to Luxembourg on Monday to launch the negotiations before he has seen the framework document.
