Cyprus News Agency, Nicosia In Brussels, December 1, 2004: The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament approved the draft report of Dutch Member of the European Parliament Camiel Eurlings on Turkey's accession course, inviting the council to open negotiations with Turkey without undue delay, stressing that the withdrawal of the Turkish forces in Cyprus "is a necessary step forward on the way to further ease tension" on the island.

The draft report, which was approved by 50 votes to 18 with six abstentions, lists all the conditions that have yet to be met. On Cyprus, the MEPs want to see greater efforts from the Turkish authorities on the Cyprus issue.

"Whilst respecting the democratic will of the Greek Cypriot community," which rejected a UN plan for a settlement in an April referendum, the Foreign Affairs Committee is disappointed that a solution has not been found and calls on "the Turkish authorities to maintain their constructive attitude" in finding "an equitable solution to be negotiated using as a basis the [UN Secretary-General Kofi] Annan plan and the principles upon which the EU is founded.".

The MEPs believe that "a withdrawal of Turkish forces is a necessary step forward on the way to further ease tension".

Since membership negotiations would take place between Turkey on one side and the 25 member states, including Cyprus, on the other, the MEPs consider that "the opening of negotiations naturally presumes the recognition of Cyprus by Turkey".

The idea of offering Turkey a "privileged partnership" rather than membership of the EU if it does not bring itself into compliance with the Copenhagen criteria was rejected by the Committee but it may be put to the vote once again during the December plenary session.

The report urges Turkey to maintain good neighbourly relations and to abstain from "threats and tension-prone activities."

At the same time, the MEPs ask Turkey to pursue its efforts at reconciliation with Armenia and to reopen the border with this country.

The Committee approved amendments by MEPs Ioannis Kasoulidhis, Charlie Tannock and Bernd Posselt encouraging Turkey to implement the legal changes it has approved and their application as regards to education and radio and television transmissions for non-Muslim minorities (Greeks, Armenians, Jews and Syrians).