Kretschmer made the remarks while speaking at the 54th Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission meeting in Turkey's largest city of Istanbul, reported the semi-official Anatolia News Agency.

Kretschmer told the meeting that the "No" vote to the EU Constitution in France and the Netherlands should not distract Turkey.

"Such voting results will not have an impact on Turkey's membership process," he added.

The failure of France and the Netherlands, the two EU founding states, to pass the EU Constitution has recently plunged the pan-Europe bloc into a grave political crisis and might lead to a halt of the EU's further enlargement.

The "No" campaign in both countries have cited fear that the EU bid by Turkey, a populous and comparatively poor Muslim country, might erase the European identity and lead to an influx of cheap labor.

Kretschmer, however, said Ankara's EU bid will mark "the beginning of a new era," adding "the positive developments and reforms in Turkey's recent past have all contributed to Turkey's getting a date from the EU for entry negotiations."

But the EU official urged Turkey to further reforms, promote free thought and expression and women's rights and address problems in the judicial system.

On behalf of the EU Council of Ministers, Dutch Ambassador in Ankara Sjoerd Gosses said despite the "No" votes in Europe, it is out of the question for the EU to withdraw its promises to Turkey.

The Istanbul meeting was attended by 25 parliamentarians from the EU, 13 parliamentarians from Turkey as well as Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler and Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas.

In Brussels, the EU approved Monday a protocol on extending a customs union with Turkey to the 10 new member states, including Cyprus, an important step for Ankara's EU bid.

Once Turkey signs the document, it will have met all conditions set by the pan-Europe bloc for starting entry negotiations in October.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2005)