EU: Turkish membership of the European Union would bring major economic and political benefits to Turkey and Europe without raising unmanageable costs, an influential European Commission impact study said.
The study, obtained exclusively by Reuters yesterday, gave a clear indication of the EU executive's thinking six days before it is due to make a crucial recommendation on whether Ankara has met the conditions for opening accession talks.
"Accession of Turkey to the Union would be challenging for both the EU and Turkey," the impact assessment said. "If well managed, it would offer important opportunities for both.
"Overall, EU member-states' economies would benefit from the accession of Turkey, albeit only slightly. Turkey would benefit substantially from its accession to the EU."
With a population of 70 million, Turkey has been seeking EU membership since 1963. It has adopted a swathe of economic and political reforms, including greater freedom of speech and minority rights, reducing the power of the military and cracking down on torture, to meet standards demanded by Brussels.
The report, one of three key documents on which the Commission decision will be based, highlighted the benefits membership would bring in many areas, including the EU's common foreign policy and its relations with the Muslim world.
And it played down fears of massive labour migration from the poor, heavily agrarian country, saying serious disturbances could be avoided with long transition periods and safeguards.
Ankara's bid struck a last-minute hitch last week when the Turkish parliament delayed approval of a new penal code, seen as vital by the EU, over controversial plans to outlaw adultery.
But parliament backtracked and adopted the penal code on Sunday. EU Enlargement Commissioner, Mr Günter Verheugen, told Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Tayyip Erdogan, there were no further obstacles to the Commission giving a clear recommendation.
Mr Verheugen denied in the European Parliament yesterday that he had made any recommendation yet on whether Turkey should be a member or not.
"The problem here is selective hearing. A lot of the people who have been participating in this debate should go and get their ears examined," he said.
The German commissioner declined to comment on objections from some dissident members of the EU executive concerned at an "Islamisation" of Europe or fearing huge absorption costs.