15/12/2004 4:00:26 pm
First Yes to Turkey! Today, the European Parliament debated and voted on a resolution concerning the forthcoming decision by the EU leaders about whether to start negotiations on EU membership with Turkey or not. The resolution says that the EU should without delay start negotiations with Turkey, based on the impressively positive development in the country, but naturally not before guarantee that the end result is membership. The resolution was accepted today in the EP with 407 votes for and 262 against. The alternative, to propose only "a privileged partnership" with Turkey, was voted down 415 to 259. It is not yet time to celebrate, since the actual decision will take place on Friday, but the fact that a clear majority of the EP voted for Turkey is a very good sign. Hopefully we can soon open the Champagne to celebrate that the EU has taken the path of modernity and freedom to the future.