24/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - After his meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan on 23 February in Ankara, Chancellor Schröder pointed out, according to a press release from the Presseamt of the German Government, that Germany supports Turkey's aspiration to immediately open accession talks with the EU, on the basis of a positive verdict from the European Commission (in its report expected for this autumn). According to the press release, Gerhard Schröder felt Turkey's contribution to stability in the region and the common economic interests point in favour to the opening of such negotiations (he mainly cited transport and energy). Before leaving, Mr Schröder had strongly opposed the idea of a "preferential partnership" offered to Turkey by CDU President Angela Merkel as an alternative to EU membership (see EUROPE of 18 February, p.4).