Negotiations have begun between the EU and six so-called 'fast track' countries. The Central and Eastern European countries of Latvia, Estonia Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, the Czech republic, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia and the Slovak Republic have all applied for membership of the European Union. A decision was taken at the Luxembourg summit of European Union leaders in December 1997 to begin 'pre-accession' discussions with all these countries, but to allow the 'fast track' countries that were deemed better prepared for EU membership, Poland, Hungary, the Czech republic, Estonia and Slovenia to proceed with negotiations more quickly. At the same meeting in Luxembourg it was decided that the EU would begin and progress enlargement negotiations with Cyprus, which originally applied for EC membership in July 1990. Turkey has been hoping to join the EU for 30 years.
Turkey is still a stumbling block.
Since then, Turkey has had the galling experience of watching nine other countries, including its neighbour and traditional adversary, Greece, successfully join the Union. Its own application has been kept under review. The EU cites lack of economic development and human rights abuses as reasons for rejecting Turkey's applications. There is a big gap between the rhetoric of EU countries and the realities of the enlargement process to central and eastern Europe. The eventual advantages to EU citizens are undeniable.