There is no question of the European Union watering down its preconditions for Turkey to start accession talks, EU Enlargement Commissioner Mr Guenther Verheugen said today.
Speaking in the European Parliament, Mr Verheugen said the onus was on Ankara to decide how to implement sweeping political and human rights reforms - but implement them it must.
"We're quite possibly on the brink of the most far-reaching reforms in the history of modern Turkey," said Mr Verheugen, recalling how the prospect of EU membership has shored up democracy in other candidate states.
"But the ball is in Turkey's court," he added. "It's up to Turkey to decide what steps to take."
No-one denies Turkey's strategic importance, Mr Verheugen said, "but that doesn't mean the EU should change its internal character... It will not do that. It's for Turkey to join the EU, not for the EU to join Turkey."
Set out in draft form last November by EU foreign ministers, the Accession Partnership needs to go past Euro MPs for discussion before it can take effect.
AFP