EU ASSEMBLY SET TO AMEND TURKEY REPORT

EUPolitix.com, Belgium
Sept 26 2006

The European parliament is set to amend a controversial report on
Turkey’s EU membership bid.

Dutch MEP Camiel Eurlings says he is hopeful that his colleagues will
remove calls for Ankara to recognise the Armenian genocide before
Turkey is allowed to join the EU.

The clause, which provoked a political storm in Turkey, was inserted
during the amendment process in the parliament’s foreign affairs
committee.

Speaking to Turkish Daily News on Monday, Eurlings stressed that he
would seek to tone down conclusions on Armenia.

"Certain things were added to my report during the vote in the foreign
affairs committee," he said.

Eurlings insists it was never his intention to force the Turks to
formally recognise this chapter of their history.

"This amendment was added when my report was being debated in the
parliament’s foreign affairs committee, and it is an amendment I
regret," the Dutch MEP said.

The Armenia amendment was proposed in committee by the Socialist MEP
Veronique De Keyser.

"That was against my will. This is not my line, and I will do my very
best during the plenary to get this out," Eurlings declared.

MEPs will debate the report on Tuesday – ahead of a Wednesday vote.