The European Parliament called on European Union leaders Wednesday to open membership talks with Turkey "without undue delay," and urged Ankara to carry out more democratic reforms and move toward recognizing Cyprus. 

The European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, France, voted 407 to 262, with 29 abstentions, to pass the resolution, which is nonbinding but nevertheless likely to influence leaders on the eve of a historic summit in Brussels on Turkey's membership application.

The resolution calls on leaders to "open the negotiations with Turkey without undue delay."

During their two-day summit, the 25 EU leaders are expected to approve opening membership talks with Ankara sometime next year.

The resolution said the opening of negotiations would "presuppose recognition by Turkey" of Cyprus, which joined the EU in May.

The assembly rejected an amendment calling for the preparation of a "special partnership" with Turkey as an alternative for membership, a proposal pushed by French and German conservatives.

"Sixty per cent of Germans would prefer enhanced co-operation or a special partnership," said German conservative Renate Sommer. "It will be impossible to absorb this huge country with all of its difficulties."

Borrell applauded the rejection of the proposal.

"The European Parliament does not want to see a second option or a 'Plan B.' This has been made perfectly clear," he said.

Meanwhile, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also said yesterday that the time is right for the European Union to begin entry talks with Turkey.

"I think it is time," Barroso told France 2 Television. "We can say 'yes' to opening negotiations."

Turkey's membership in the bloc would be positive and help boost security in Europe and the world at large, Barroso said.

(China Daily December 16, 2004)