Europe 's conditions to improve relations with Turkey

The European Commissioner for relations with Turkey Hans Van DeBroek announced that the European Commission EC awaits positive signals from Turkey aimed at improving relations with the European Union.

AFP quoted the European Union EU Commissioner as saying in press statements that the expected signals relate to three scopes: human rights protection, improving relations with Greece and achieving a genuine progress in solving the Cypriot crisis.

Such signals, he added, would create proper climate to develop "our" relations later, noting if Turkey could contribute to creating encouraging atmospheres, substantial results are expected to be concluded by Luxembourg Summit especially concerning Turkey's membership to the EU. However, Luxembourg Foreign Minister who is also the EU 's current chairman said it was agreed with Turkey's Premier Mesout Yelmaz to proceed with bilateral relations between the two countries.

Following his meeting with Yelmaz in Turkey, the EU chief said that he views Turkey as an integrated part of Europe and he will convey this view to the EU's other member states. Yelmaz expressed Turkey's hope that the Luxembourg Summit will reach a decision providing for Turkey's membership in the EU.