Turkey declared it had fulfilled all the political criteria for membership talks with the European Union on Sunday, three days before a recommendation from the EU's executive that will give Ankara a green light. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan sniped at European politicians who have fanned unease -- especially in France and Germany -- about the prospect of membership for a country so culturally different, accusing them of "populism". "Anyone who calls into question whether Turkey can be a full member is not respecting the procedures," he said in an interview with Germany's N-TV. "We have done our homework. Now it's for those who set this homework to do what is necessary." Speaking at an awards ceremony for Erdogan in Berlin, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said he expected the European Commission to give Turkey a "positive vote" on Wednesday in its long-awaited opinion on membership talks. "Germany will firmly support the launch of membership negotiations if the Commission concludes that the political criteria for membership have been fulfilled," Schroeder said. Erdogan said he expected a "yes" from the Commission.
