SEVILLE (A.A) - 22.06.2002 - The final statement was released at the end of the summit meeting of heads of state and government of member countries to the European Union (EU) in Seville, Spain, on Saturday.
A high-level official told the A.A correspondent that expressions in the final statement about Turkey were encouraging, but not binding.
The same official stressed that Turkey should fulfill the commitments in its National Department till the EU's Copenhagen Summit.
In the Turkey part of the final statement, the EU expresses its satisfaction over reforms made by Turkey.
''The implementation of the requried political and economic reforms will bring forward Turkey's prospects of accession in accordance with the same principles and critera as are applied to the other candidate countries,'' it says.
The final statement notes, ''new decisions could be taken in Copenhangen on the next stage of Turkey's candidacy in the light of developments in the situation between the Seville and Copenhagen, and on the basis of the regular reports to be submitted by the commission in October 2002.''
Meanwhile, in the Cyprus part of the draft statement, it is underlined that the EU preferred participation of a united island in the EU.
''European Council fully supports the efforts of the Secretary General of the United Nations, and call upon the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to intensify and expedite their talks in order to seize the unique window of opportunity for a comprehensive settlement hopefully before conclusion of the negotiations,'' it says.
''As a member state, Cyprus will need to speak with a single voice and ensure proper application of EU law,'' it says and adds that the EU would provide financial assistance to make a contribution to development of Northern Cyprus in case of unification of the island.