BRUSSELS - While the E.U. Brussels summit continues, certain statements about the position of Turkey cause tension.
EU Commission President Romano Prodi said in a news conference before the summit on Thursday that the Commission did not think of proposing a date for beginning of full membership talks with Turkey in Copenhagen. However EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told Reuters that ''that is the opinion of Mr. Prodi.'' Solana recalled that the political decision on this issue would be given by the EU Council, which is composed of leaders of member countries, not by the Commission, which is the executive organ of the EU.''
''We have to send all the positive signals to Turkey. Turkey is an important strategic ally and therefore we want to continue to construct a very profound and positive relationship with Turkey,'' adding that ''we'll see what happens from here to Copenhagen. It's too early to make statements of that nature.''
Some EU officials in Brussels said that the contributions of Turkey to the solution of Cyprus problem before the end of this year were expected and that the positive steps to be taken by Turkey in this direction could affect the decision to be taken in Copenhagen.
It is also claimed that big countries of the EU Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain defend the view that the accession of Turkey to the EU has to be brought onto agenda after the ten candidade countries become members of the EU in 2004 and a negotiation date has to be determined, a decision has to be taken in Copenhagen in this framework and a promise has to be given to Turkey.
Meanwhile a EU diplomat said that the statement of Prodi was a gaffe, adding that nothing is clear before the elections that will be held in Turkey, there was only the consensus of avoiding from giving wrong signs and he thought Prodi was warned about this issue.