HC Deb 07 January 2003 vol 397 cc95-6W
Keith Vaz

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the European Council decision to postpone negotiations on Turkey's accession to the EU; and what steps he plans to take to assist Turkey's accession. [89022]

The Prime Minister

The Copenhagen European Council marked a step forward in Turkey's accession to the EU. It decided that if the European Council in December 2004, on the basis of a report and a recommendation from the Commission, decides that Turkey fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria, the European Union will open accession negotiations with Turkey without delay.

The new UK Action Plan for Turkey includes a wide range of bilateral reform initiatives, aimed at helping Turkey prepare for EU membership.