BRUSSELS - Europe's centre-right leaders yesterday sent Turkey a strong signal that its human rights record means it cannot expect to be considered for EU membership for the foreseeable future, Patrick Smyth reports.
The six prime ministers of the European People's Party and their fellow party leaders are understood to have been particularly angered by Turkish suggestions that Turkey may hold up the accession of eastern European countries to NATO unless it gets assurances about its own EU membership.
The leaders were also involved in attempts to bridge differences over treaty changes in the Inter-Governmental Conference. The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, said there was a particular emphasis on getting significant progress on justice and home affairs co-operation on which there now appears to be substantial agreement.