EU, Turkey to open formal talks on updating customs union

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - MAY 12: Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci and European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom hold a joint press conference following their meeting, where Turkey and EU officials have agreed to begin official negotiations aimed at updating the custom union agreement, at the European Commission in Brussels, on May 12, 2015. Zeybekci said during the press conference: "First, our expectations from the process are to enable Turkey to participate in the EU's consultative and decision-making mechanisms. “Second is finding permanent solutions to the problems suffered due to the compatibility of the EU’s free-trade agreements with third countries. And third is the removal of land route quotes.” Cecilia Malmstrom said that, since current custom agreement did not include services, investments, public procurements and some agricultural products, it was time to change it to a more inclusive character. (Footage by Dursun Aydemir / Anadolu Agency)