Turkey's appointment with EU destiny to be unveiled today

The much awaited progress report about Turkey's future relations with the EU will be unveiled today at the weekly European Commission meeting in Brussels.

The report will immediately be made public at a press conference by Enlargement Commissioner Gunther Verheugen, scheduled for the early afternoon.

Sources close to the Commission told The Times yesterday the report is set to give Turkey the go-ahead to begin EU accession talks but at the same time it will also express strong reservations. The report is not expected to indicate a date as to when negotiations could start.

According to parts of the report leaked to the press, Turkey is set to be praised for "substantial institutional convergence towards European standards". However, the report is also expected to take note of several areas where reforms in the country are not up to scratch. Human rights abuses including torture are likely to be mentioned.

The report is also expected to signal a change in the ways in which the EU approaches future enlargements. An impact assessment paper on Turkish membership prepared alongside the progress report notes the country's accession would differ significantly from previous enlargements of the EU. For example, the Commission is expected to say that Turkey may have to accept emergency curbs on the free movement of its workers if it is to join the EU. Another condition could be related to the current occupation of part of Cyprus by Turkey.

These conditions will not be welcomed by the Turkish government which is insisting on being given an unconditional green light.

Turkey has been trying to start negotiating membership since 1963 when it signed an association agreement that promised eventual membership of the EU. Things moved slowly until 1999 when Turkey was officially recognised as an EU candidate country. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan believes that Turkey could join the EU by 2012. However, negotiations are widely expected to go on for about 15 years.

According to a decision taken last year by the EU, the Commission report should evaluate Turkey's progress towards the entry criteria, called the Copenhagen criteria, and give its recommendation if Turkey is in a position to start official talks.

The final decision is expected to be taken by the EU's heads of government during their traditional EU summit in December. Malta will be represented by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

Europe is divided on the issue. The biggest opposition comes from Austria, Germany and France which oppose Europe integrating a Muslim nation and which believe Turkey is geographically not part of Europe.

On the other hand, the governments of the UK and Italy support Turkey's membership.