LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Austria did not back off on its position against launching of talks on Turkey's accession into the European Union (EU) at the first section of the EU foreign ministers' meeting, a Spanish diplomat said here on Sunday night.

    The EU held here on Sunday evening an emergent foreign ministers ' meeting to discuss the launching of Turkey' accession talks, aiming to eliminating the difference within the EU on the issue, especially Austria's open displeasure over the launching.

    A Spanish diplomat, who declined to reveal her name, said Austria was still holding its position.

    Sources told Xinhua that Austria sticks to three points on the issue:

    the first is to give an alternative of "privileged partnership" instead of "full membership" to Turkey;

    the second is to offer an "open-ended talks", which means Turkey 's talks with the EU would not definitely lead to the EU' membership;

    the Third is that although Turkey is ready to start talks with the EU, but the EU is not ready to begin the talks.

    The diplomat said the meeting would entered into its second section on 10:30 later Sunday night.

    In December 2004, the EU summit agreed to start talks with Turkey on Oct. 3 this year.

    However, according to the EU rules, each EU member state is entitled to veto the EU's enlargement.

    A "no" from Austria is enough to stop Turkey's bid to enter the European family. Enditem