31.   EU government leaders meet at a summit in December to make the final choice of candidates for the first round of membership talks.

32.   EU government leaders meet in December to make the final choice of candidates for the first round of membership talks.

33.   Even in normally pro-European French-speaking states like Geneva, a majority came out against the membership talks.

34.   EU opens membership talks with six nations.

35.   Even in French-speaking parts that have traditionally favored closer European ties, a majority voted against membership talks.

36.   Five former Soviet bloc nations opened membership talks Tuesday with the European Union, which heard an appeal by Cyprus not to let Turkey hinder its entry.

37.   Five other countries, all former communist nations, also will join in the first wave of membership talks.

38.   For five ex-communist countries, the start of detailed membership talks with the EU is a first, long-awaited step toward European reunification.

39.   For five ex-Communist countries, starting detailed membership talks Tuesday with the EU is a first, long-awaited step toward European reunification.

40.   Germany on Wednesday rejected fresh charges by the Turkish prime minister that Chancellor Helmut Kohl was to blame for keeping Turkey out of European Union membership talks.