Germany backs Turkey in EU bid

“If the Commission gives a positive judgement on October 6, then the government will come out in favour at the European Union summit in December for the beginning of accession talks,” said Bela Anda, a spokesman for the German government.
“That will reinforce the reform process in Turkey and the government is also convinced that Turkey can and will move even closer to the European Union in the process.”
Also on Friday, it was announced that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan would be presented with an award prize for his pursuit of democratic reforms during his visit to Berlin on October 3.