Greek Foreign Under-Secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis said Greek reservations included the lack of progress on the Cyprus issue, Turkey's stance towards Greece and its human rights record. Athens had said it would reconsider its veto if the EU set a definite date for talks on Cyprus entry to the Union. The European Parliament strongly condemned Turkey Thursday for its human rights record, particularly after the recent sentencing of 15 Kurdish MPs to jail. The resolution called for a freeze on negotiations for the customs union and was carried overwhelmingly. Mr. Kinkel said he was disappointed negotiations for customs union were not completed, stressing that Europe should help Turkey.
Turkey plays the role of the bridge to the Islamic world.
We had a different view from the European Parliament. You must understand us. This country has chosen the way to Europe. It is friendly. We cannot turn it away.