Brussels, 17/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted by a large majority (33 for, 2 against and 7 abstentions) a balanced and cautious draft report on the progress made by Turkey on the road to EU membership. Supporters and adversaries of accession made concessions by adopting the compromises proposed by Rapporteur Arie Oostlander (EPP, NL). The report opens with a positive assessment of the "deep motivation" of the Turkish government as well as reforms adopted. It then insists on the need to implement these reforms and on the considerable progress still to be accomplished by Turkey, mainly for the rights of Kurds and human rights. The report insists on the incontrovertible nature of the Copenhagen criteria, also calling on the European Commission to assess the consequences of Turkey's accession to the Union. Amendments aimed at proposing a special partnership were rejected. The report will be included on the agenda of the next plenary session on 31 March.