Enough is enough. The agonising process of negotiating a mandate for Turkey to open membership talks with the European Union this week seems to have exhausted the enthusiasm of many EU governments for any further enlargement.

As it is, they have drawn up the toughest negotiating terms ever presented to an aspiring candidate, providing all sorts of ways to block the ultimate goal of Turkish accession. The EU ?capacity to absorb Turkey? is made an essential pre-condition. Any sign of backsliding in Ankara on ?the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law? can cause the negotiations to be abruptly suspended. Every line spells out the hesitation of the present member states to open their doors across the Bosphorus.