BRUSSELS (AA) - European Parliament Socialist Group Thursday called on EU heads of state and government to start full membership negotiations with Turkey ''in the possible soonest time''.
Socialist Group Deputy Chairman Marinus Wiersma made a statement and referred to the Turkey report voted in the European Parliament (EP) on Wednesday.
The statement said there was a historic week in question for Turkey and for the EU, noting that, ''start of negotiations will be the start of a process which will change Turkey and the EU.''
Socialist Group statement noted that that EU heads of state and government were expected to follow the attitude of the EP, and expressed the pleasure felt over the decision of the Parliament.
The statement wanted a decision to be made in the EU summit for start of full membership negotiations with Turkey in the possible soonest time next year.
The statement also expressed pleasure over rejection of the amendment motion proposing ''privileged partnership'' to Turkey, emphasizing that this was a discrimination proposal against Turkey.
The message added that EU heads of state and government should reject the same kind of proposals.
(AY-A֩
2004-12-16