BRUSSELS
Luxembourg’s foreign minister, Jean Asselborn, said on Wednesday that opening Chapter 17 on economic policy as part of Turkey’s bid for EU membership was a possibility.
Speaking at the foreign affairs committee at the European Parliament in Brussels, Asselborn said: "It is possible for Chapter 17 on Economic Policy to be opened soon."
"We are expecting a new government to be formed soon in Turkey," he said. "We will pragmatically and constructively strenghten EU and Turkey relations."
Out of 35 chapters, 14 chapters have been opened and 17 remain blocked.
Asselborn also said that there had been improvements in terms of the ongoing negotiations regarding the divided island of Cyprus.
The Cyprus issue remains a major political obstacle to Turkey's accession to the EU.
Turkish Cypriot President Mustafa Akinci and Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades resumed talks on reunifying the island following Akinci’s election in April. Negotiations were resumed following a two-year hiatus in February 2013 but stalled in October last year after a row over mineral exploration around in the island.
