HELSINKI, Sept 24 (AFP) - Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, European Commission chief-in-waiting, said Friday the EU should send Turkey a positive signal on its chances of joining the bloc, as long as Ankara meets the necessary criteria.
"I think it is important to keep our credibility. If we said that Turkey could become a member or could (start) negotiating with us if they fulfilled certain criteria, I think now we should give a positive signal," Barroso told reporters following a meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen.
"We cannot change our criteria to satisfy any country wanting to become a member, but if a country like Turkey accepts our criteria we should welcome them. It will improve our market, our democracy and build bridges for peace."
Following a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen meanwhile said there were "no more obstacles" to him making a recommendation on Turkey's possible membership talks to the EU Commission.
Verheugen is currently drafting a report on Turkey's progress towards membership negotiations, which is expected to be positive for Turkey and which will form the basis for EU leaders' decision on the issue at a summit in December.
"I was happy with the new news over the talks with Turkey ... I think it is good news. I think Turkey could be and should be a member of the European Union, if Turkey fully meets the criteria," Barroso said on Friday.
Barroso, who will become head of EU's executive arm on November 1, stressed however that although Turkey could soon start membership talks, it still had a long way to go before actually join the bloc.