Turkey's European Future

"No one can guarantee success in this," Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja told a press conference after a day of talks with his European Union counterparts, with relations with EU-hopeful Turkey high on the agenda.

"It is also quite possible that we cannot reach an agreement within this time, but nevertheless we will continue with our support," said Tuomioja, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency.

Many EU nations called for a swift recommendation by the European Commission on Turkey, EU sources said, with some seeking a freeze on some of the 35 accession chapters that every candidate nation must satisfactorily complete before joining.

Talks could be put on ice

A pause in EU relations would be wise unless Ankara swiftly lifts its embargo against Greek Cypriot ships and planes, Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik told reporters as she arrived for the EU talks.

"If there is no important move from here until December then it might be wise to agree on a time-out to reduce tensions," she said, referring to an EU summit from Dec. 14 to 15.

Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas said that a partial suspension of talks would be useless.

"We cannot agree to suspend relevant chapters as this is not a sanction and it has no relevant effect," Lillikas said after the talks, adding that the European Union could not be treated as "a

menu a la carte."

"Turkey first closes the door, then they throw away the key and now they expect the European Union to break the door down," he added.

Rehn: Turkey must meet accession criteria

Before the ministers met, Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said Turkey would be allowed to enter the EU if it fulfilled all membership requirements, amid growing debate over Ankara's fitness to join the bloc.

"Yes, if Turkey meets all the conditions of accession in the end of this long and sometimes difficult journey, Turkey will become a member of the EU," said Rehn, during a debate in Brussels with Turkish negotiator Ali Babacan.

"If Turkey in 10 or 15 years is a modern European Turkey where all democratic values and the rule of law are respected, I am sure we can win the hearts and minds of the Europeans, succeed in the ratification process and even in (national) referenda," he added before the EU foreign ministers met.

Rehn's comments came with public opinion in some EU quarters increasingly hostile to Turkey's membership ambitions, especially given the country's refusal to open its ports and airports to Cyprus, a member of the bloc.

Cynicism over membership growing in Turkey

A growing number of Turks are also becoming increasingly skeptical that EU membership will ever be achieved.

"When we have issues like Cyprus on the table or when Turkish people see the anti-Turkish rhetoric in some member states, especially in some countries where elections are coming... The feeling of being not wanted is becoming more and more evident," said Babacan.

Turkey began often-tumultuous membership talks a year ago. Its accession process is expected to take at least a decade and no guarantees have been given that it will even be able to join at the end of it all.

"There are issues which the EU is fair about, and we trust, but there are also issues like Cyprus where the EU can no longer be objective," Babacan said.

Rehn, however, voiced optimism over the future of EU-Turkey talks.

"We have been so far able to avoid a train wreck and in my view we still have all the chances to avoid such in December," he said.