§ 30. Mr. BryantTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had regarding Turkey's candidacy for membership of the EU. [23024]
§ Peter HainDuring his visit to Turkey on 17–18 October where he met President Sezer, Prime Minister Ecevit and Foreign Minister Cem, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary welcomed Turkey's recent constitutional changes as progress towards meeting the Copenhagen criteria, and encouraged the Turkish Government to continue their efforts to reform. As the Laeken European Council of 14–15 December noted, this progress has brought forward the prospect of opening accession negotiations with Turkey.