Cyprus Paragraph Of Final Declaration Of E.U. Summit Changed

BRUSSELS (AA) - ''The European Council welcomes Turkey's statement that it will sign the protocol regarding the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement, taking account of the accession of the ten new Member States,'' says the final declaration of the EU Summit in Brussels, sources said on Friday.
     As a result of meetings between Turkey and the EU, the paragraph in the final declaration of the EU summit about Cyprus was changed.
     In the revised paragraph, it was said, ''the European Council welcomes Turkey's statement to sign the protocol regarding the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement, taking account of the accession of the ten new Member States.''
     In the first draft prepared by the Netherlands, which holds rotating EU presidency, it was said, ''the European Council welcomes Turkey's decision to sign the protocol regarding the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement, taking account of the accession of the ten new Member States.''
     As a result of the change, the European Council welcomed Turkey's ''statement'' to sign the agreement instead of Turkey's ''decision'' to sign the agreement.
     (UK-MS)
2004-12-17