E.P. ADOPTS REPORT ON TURKEY’S PROGRESS TOWARDS ACCESSION

Turkish Press
Sept 10 2006

STRASBOURG – The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European
Parliament (EP) adopted the report on Turkey’s progress towards
accession on Monday.

The report, prepared by Christian Democrat MEP Camiel Eurlings, was
passed by 52 votes. Six MEPs voted against it, while eight abstained.

The Committee added some paragraphs to the report which include
harsher expressions against Turkey.

By a motion adopted during the meeting, the Committee reiterated
their call to Turkey to recognize the so-called Armenian genocide
before it becomes a full member.

Before the vote, Eurlings said that Turkey has slowed down its reforms,
and noted that the EP should give a serious message to Turkey with
this report.

On the other hand, Turkey-EU Joint Parliament Committee Co-Chairman
Joost Lagendijk said that the EP should not give Turkey the message
that its negotiations can be suspended due to Cyprus problem, and
called on the EU to fulfil its commitments to Turkish Cypriots.

The report will also be voted at the Plenary Session to be held in
Strasbourg at the end of this month.