EU’s Verheugen: Turkey ready to start talks

"We have been able to find solutions for the remaining outstanding problems," Verheugen told reporters at a joint press conference after meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Verheugen told reporters after his meeting with Erdogan that "we have been able to find solutions for the remaining outstanding problems". A report by the commission due on 6 October will say whether Brussels believes talks on the Turkish bid should go ahead.

The EU Enlargement Commissioner expressed satisfaction with Ankara’s progress on the road to reforming its legal system ahead of entering talks with Brussels over Turkey’s candidacy for entering the EU. There were ‘no more obstacles’ on the table, Verheugen said.

German commissioner dismissed these worries, saying: "My conclusion is that there are no more obstacles on the table now. From my point of view there are no further conditions which Turkey must fulfil in order to allow the Commission to make a recommendation."

"I’m very happy as a result of this meeting, which has been very productive," Erdogan said. "I believe that this meeting is going to prepare a very positive foundation for the progress report of Turkey," he added.

Erdogan said he would continue to take important steps to reform the penal code to guarantee improvements in human rights and eliminate police torture. "We are very determined to do this .. to implement all the reforms seriously," he told reporters.