BRUSSELS - The European Commission affirmed on Tuesday that it received Turkey's letter of compromise about text of the Additional Protocol of the Ankara Agreement between Turkey and the EU related to the extension of customs union, and that the signing process started.
Speaking at the daily news conference, European Commission spokesmen said that the signing process started after Turkish party expressed its compromise with the text of the protocol.
The exchange of letters of pre-compromise about signing of the protocol has been completed.
Now, the text will be approved by the Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union (COREPER) and the EU General Affairs Council formed by foreign ministers of the EU-member states.
The text will also be presented to the European Parliament.
Later, the European Commission, the executive organ of the EU, and Turkey will sign the protocol.
Turkish parliament's approval is required to put the protocol into force.
Meanwhile, the European Commission said that the signing process would be completed before October 3rd when the entry talks between Turkey and the EU would be opened in line with the decision made by the EU on December 17th.
Diplomatic sources said that the EU could request some approvals according to its procedures, and that the Greek Cypriot side could cause several problems during the approval process. They added that it was up to the EU not to delay the signing process.