EU’s Cox brings message of support to Turkey

His speech will express "respect for progress made in reform and give encouragement to continue along this path," said a spokesman.

"This is good for Turkey and for its engagement in the EU," Cox will say.

Cox, the first European Parliament president to address the Grand National Assembly, will meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.

His visit follows hot on the heels of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder who also went to Turkey last week with a message of support for the government’s reform efforts.

Turkey’s progress on economic, legal and political reforms will be assessed by the European Commission later this year.

EU leaders will then decide whether Ankara is fully ready to open formal talks for future EU membership.