29/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - In a press release, CDU MEP Harmut Nassauer calls on Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen to clarify his position concerning Turkey's future membership of the EU. He says Verheugen seems to want to play a double game, being neutral on the one hand and then seeming to indirectly encourage turkey to join the EU on the other, which is what Chancellor Schröder wants, with an eye to the Turks who vote in German elections. Nassauer said that in the Turkish media, Verheugen reportedly hinted in Ankara that accession would be possible by 2010 or 2012 at the latest, if Turkey meets the criteria by 2004 and the Cyprus issue is settled. On the other hand, said the MEP, the Commissioner told the EP's Foreign Affairs Committee that the decision was the sole responsibility of the Council. Nassauer is one of the fiercest opponents of Turkey joining the EU. He is criticising Verheugen for speculating on a possible date for Turkey to join while "hiding behind the Council" without even explaining that the European Parliament must endorse enlargement and, according to Nassauer, there is absolutely no way the necessary majority of MEPs support Turkey's entry.