LUXEMBOURG -- The European Union opened membership talks with Turkey early today -- a historic first step that would transform the bloc by taking in a predominantly Muslim nation and expanding its borders to Asia and the Middle East.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul flew late last night to Luxembourg for a late-night ceremony to formally open entry talks, following an agreement reached after two dramatic days of diplomacy that included strong U.S. lobbying for Turkey's candidacy.

"We have reached a historic point," Mr. Gul said in Ankara before boarding his jet. "Turkey will be the only Muslim country in EU."

The start of negotiations that could last a decade followed weekend crisis talks meant to persuade Austria to drop its last-minute objections to Ankara's bid for full membership.

The 25-nation bloc also opened membership talks today with Croatia -- a key Austrian demand -- after the U.N. chief prosecutor gave assurances that the government in Zagreb was now cooperating fully in efforts to bring a war crimes suspect to trial.

The negotiations came amid fears that rejecting the only Muslim EU candidate country could destabilize the Turkish government. But many Europeans have questioned the bloc's ability to absorb the nation of 70 million people and invoked concerns about admitting a poor and predominantly Muslim nation. Amid deepening fears in Europe toward immigrants, Turkey's candidacy also raises the prospect of millions more potential newcomers.