Spain, Germany and France back Turkey’s EU bid

"I think the decision by EU leaders will be positive if the European Commission’s report is favorable," the news agency quoted German leader Schroeder as saying after meeting Zapatero and Chirac at a summit meeting in Madrid on Monday.

He was referring to a key report by the commission scheduled for release on Oct. 6 which is expected to constitute the base for the EU leaders’ decision on Turkey in December.

Turkey has made a series of reforms in order to fulfill EU criteria and is now eager to receive a date to start accession negotiations in December at the EU summit. Schroeder said Turkey has taken major steps in order to begin entry talks and thateverybody has witnessed that. Turkey would also contribute to the security of the EU, he added.