France is expected to submit new proposals to accelerate Turkey’s accession talks with the union as Paris sends strong signals that it is prepared to lift its block on at least one accession chapter during Ireland’s current bloc term presidency. 
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is expected to make the statement during a meeting with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu this weekend in Munich, where both men will attend an annual security conference, diplomatic sources told the Hürriyet Daily News yesterday. “Fabius will voice new proposals and will provide information on Paris’ intention to lift its block on the chapter on economic and monetary policy,” a source speaking on condition of anonymity said. 
Five chapters were unilaterally blocked by France during former President Nicholas Sarkozy’s rule. But following the election of François Hollande last year, Paris softened its position on Turkey’s accession process. 
Amid the new thaw, expectations are growing that the process will act as a catalyst for Turkey’s accession talks with the union. 
Reviving long-stalled EU accession talks will top the ministers’ agenda, and the pair are expected to discuss a road map that would aid their cooperation to this end. 
Elections in Greek Cyprus could also create a better climate between Turkey and the EU, according to sources. However, European diplomats have questioned Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent statements that Turkey could join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization if the EU drags its feet on Turkish membership, Hurriyet Daily reports.