Euro M.P. Simon Busuttil addressed a two-day meeting of the Group of the European People's Party (EPP) which met in Brussels to debate the implications of Turkey's EU membership.

The EPP is split down the middle on this application. The German, French and Austrian members of the group, among others, are opposed to Turkey's membership and wish instead to offer that country a 'privileged partnership'.

This was originally suggested by the German Christian Democrats (CDU) at the beginning of this year. CDU leader Angela Merkel also flew to Ankara last February to try to obtain Turkey's support for the proposal.

But Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan firmly but politely refused the offer, sending Mrs Merkel back to Berlin emptyhanded.

When last April the European Parliament was debating the Oostlander Report on Turkey's preparations for membership, the German CDU again tried to amend Parliament's motion to include this "privileged partnership" instead of membership. But the amendment was roundly defeated.

So when Dr Busuttil walked into the EPP meeting to tell his colleagues that Europe's credibility is at stake if Turkey is now told that it is not eligible for membership after the many occasions in which it was told that it is eligible, he rattled some of those present who are hell-bent on blocking Turkey.

And he was right, absolutely. However, Dr Busuttil did not say simply that Turkey should be told yes and that's all. He said that no guarantees should be offered and Turkey would be admitted only after it satisfies all the member states that it has complied fully with the so-called Copenhagen Criteria.

These are the criteria that an applicant state must satisfy before being allowed to join the EU. Dr Busuttil emphasised the need to ensure that Turkey actually implements reforms.

The Islamist party in power in Ankara since 2002 has been pushing reforms briskly through the Turkish Parliament. But many human rights organisations, both in Turkey and outside, report that torture and arbitrary arrest are still widespread, pointing to the need of ensuring implementation.

Dr Busuttil's line is in our opinion fair. Turkey presents a number of social, economic and political challenges to the process of European integration. The fact that it is a Muslim country has raised concerns of a 'cultural divide' between it and the rest of Europe.

But Turkey's application cannot be prejudged. Certainly, the EU member states ought first to wait for the Commission's Report on Turkey's preparations for membership, issued on Wednesday. This report proposed opening negotiations with Turkey.

Of course, it is the Council that will have to decide on December 17 whether to say yes or no to negotiations.

Implementation of basic democratic freedoms will ease fear of the potential negative consequences, which may result from a 'Clash of Civilisations' between Muslim Turkey and mainly Christian Europe.

But this is not enough either. Ankara has to make progress on other fronts as well such as the Cyprus problem and a peaceful solution of the Kurdish question - apart from the enforcement of the law on the home front.

But these challenges are hardly compelling enough to tell Turkey to stay out. Dr Busuttil's participation and contribution to the EPP debate shows all too well that small need not be helpless. The Maltese are right in making their opinions on salient issues heard in the EU - no matter what.