Germany backs opening ‘new chapter’ in EU-Turkey talks: Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel backs opening a new chapter to continue talks on whether Turkey should join the European Union. (Reuters)

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

BERLIN

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she backs opening a new chapter in stalled talks on Turkey’s membership of the European Union.

Despite being skeptical about Turkey’s membership herself, Merkel says she is willing to continue negotiations with Ankara without prejudice as to the outcome.

The leader of Europe’s biggest economy spoke in pre-recorded video broadcast Saturday ahead of her trip to Turkey Sunday and Monday.

Merkel is scheduled to visit German troops operating NATO missile batteries in Kahramanmaras near the Syrian border on Sunday.

On Monday, she is due to confer with members of the Turkish government in Ankara.

via Germany backs opening ‘new chapter’ in EU-Turkey talks: Merkel.