Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday that it is possible that Ankara will not open its entry talks with the European Union as scheduled on Oct. 3.

Gul told reporters that Turkey may not send a delegation to Luxembourg for the scheduled accession talks because there are still unsettled disputes.

Efforts are underway to solve the problems, the minister said, adding that he hoped the accession talks will go ahead.

Gul's remarks came after the 25-nation bloc failed to reach an agreement on a negotiating mandate required to open the scheduled entry talks with Turkey.

Austria voiced opposition on Thursday to the negotiating mandate, demanding the EU offer Turkey an alternative to full membership.

Austria's opposition forced EU foreign ministers to set an emergency meeting next week.

Ankara opposes any alternative but full membership.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2005)