Germany pledges Turkey EU support

Schroeder has been a cheerleader for Turkey's entry to the EU

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has pledged support to Turkey in its push to join the European Union.

Turkey is on "the right path" with its reform process, Mr Schroeder said after talks in Ankara with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The EU is due to discuss the formal launch of Turkish membership talks in December.

Germany's support is seen as crucial if Turkey is to stand any chance of joining the EU, which has set a series of political and economic reforms.

Cyprus boost

"Turkey can always count on Germany for support," Mr Schroeder was quoted by French news agency AFP as saying.

"Our vote will be for the start of accession negotiations in the shortest time, if Turkey has fulfilled all the criteria."

Mr Erdogan said he had "great confidence" that the EU would make a positive decision in December, but did not expect a firm date for membership.

As part of its drive to enter Europe, Turkey has passed an unprecedented number of new laws over the past year - aimed at improving the country's rather troubled record on human rights.

And the Turkish campaign to be taken seriously as an EU candidate has received a further boost in recent weeks with the resumption of talks on the reunification of Cyprus.

Brussels has made it clear that unless there is a deal on Cyprus, Turkey stands little chance of EU membership.

The BBC's Tabitha Morgan in Istanbul says not only is there now a realistic prospect the island could be reunited but, for once, Turkey is being seen as co-operative and flexible in negotiations.