European parliament adopts progress report on Turkey

The latest European Parliament (EP) progress report on Turkey, drafted by Dutch parliamentarian and member of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) Ria Oomen-Ruijten, was voted on and approved at the EP Plenary Session held in Strasbourg on Thursday by 451 votes in favor versus 75 votes against. Prior to the voting, European lawmakers rejected a proposed amendment to the wording of draft that would leave out a definition of PKK as a "terrorist organization." The EP also rejected a motion calling for representation for Turkish Cypriots as observers in the institution, but decided to take the matter to the Conference of Presidents. On the topic of accession, the resolution calls on the EU to open negotiations with Turkey on six chapters as well.