EU waits for Turkey Progress Report to take stance

The report will make suggestions to European leaders depending on the developments in regards to the reform package and the Cyprus issue.

Sources reported that the commission could suggest European leaders to suspend negotiations over upcoming chapters regarding the Customs Union during a summit scheduled for Dec.14 – 15.

However, the number of chapters to be negotiated will most likely depend on the attitude of Greek Cyprus.

Diplomatic sources stated before European leaders made any decision regarding Turkey, they would consider the Negotiations Framework Document, Turkey's Cyprus declaration on Sept. 21 and the progress report to be released on Nov. 8.

The same sources underlined the framework document clearly specified the cases in which negotiations could be halted, adding Turkey's failure to open its ports and airports to the Greek Cypriot traffic would not suffice to suspend negotiations and it was unlikely that the commission would suggest such a move.

The negotiations framework document foresees suspending negotiations in case of continuous and serious violations of the issues such as freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

However, any member country could halt negotiations whenever it wishes.

Sources close to the commission reported lawyers had not been consulted on any of these topics, making news in this regard speculative.

Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said the European Union should keep its promise that it would grant Turkey full membership. Zaman