The talks on Turkey's accession to the European Union (EU) at the EU foreign ministers' meeting were at a "dedicate" stage, Austrian foreign minister Ursula Plassnik said on Monday in Luxembourg.

As the accession talks dragged on into its second day, Austria, which rejected the EU's move to offer "full EU membership" to Turkey, was still firm on its position.

Under EU's rules, Turkey's entry needs "nod" from all the 25 EU member states. However, Austria insisted on a "privileged partnership" with Turkey as an alternative to "full membership".

The foreign ministers were trying to work out a framework that will set the basic rules and procedures for Turkey's accession negotiations.

The talks were at a "dedicate" stage and even on the brink of collapse, Plassnik told reporters.

Austria still called for an "alternative" to replace the original wording for the EU's document on launching Turkey's accession talks, which says EU entry is the main aim of the talks.

Although 24 out of the 25 EU member states agree to the wording, Austria still sticks to its position and cannot be "intimidated," said Plassnik.

EU is scheduled to kick-start entry talks with Turkey on 5:00 p.m. (1500 GMT), 42 years after Turkey's application. However, sources said the initial plan can be postponed if the 25 member states are not able to reach an unanimous negotiating framework.

Source: Xinhua