Hilmi Toros

The problem does not lie only in Turkey, says Nejdet Ates, a hotel worker in Afyon. It is also in Europe. It has to decide if it wants us -- a big Muslim nation. It has never been clear on this. We wont beg to get in.

After failing to be recommended for membership of the European Union, Turkey is clinging to faint hopes that the EU Council comprising heads of government will take a political decision to give Turkey at least a date for accession talks.