Brussels, 09/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - The leader of the EPP-ED Group at the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering (CDU), said he was optimistic that his group - which remains deeply divided on the question of Turkey's accession - may nonetheless agree on the wording of a compromise that may not only be included in the Eurlings report to be examined next week by the European Parliament plenary but also in the decision of the EU Heads of State and Government during the European Council of 17 December. The wording, proposed by Austrian national Ursula Stenzel, stipulates that, should Turkey's accession "turn out not to be achievable", other options may be taken into account with a view to ensuring that Turkey "remains firmly anchored in European structures". "There seems to be a great majority within the EPP in support of this wording", Mr Pöttering said on Thursday when speaking to a group of journalists. Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel, who was appointed coordinator of the EPP position on Turkey with a view to the decision of 17 December, is "no doubt" also in favour of this wording, all the more as the proposal comes from an Austrian national who "very probably" consulted her party leader on the matter. Ms Stenzel's formulation has the advantage of taking into account developments not only in Turkey but also in the European Union, which should be able to absorb a country like Turkey. The passage which states "in case accession turns out not to be achievable" also naturally includes the possibility that the EU may not be willing to take Turkey in, Mr Pöttering stressed, without hiding the fact that he is personally not in favour of Turkey's membership (and therefore is also against the opening of talks), and that he prefers a "preferential partnership" with this country. On the question of preferential partnership, the German members of the CDU/CSU are on the same wavelength as their French colleagues in the group. Other opinions within the EPP are moving, Mr Pöttering says, sensing a certain "growing reticence" among British Conservatives (hitherto very much in favour of Turkey) and among Spanish EPP colleagues. In the Spanish case, this more cautious trend toward Turkey's accession "is apparently even gaining ground with the government" in Madrid. The EPP-ED Group will, on Monday, seek in Strasbourg to define a common position around Ms Stenzel's wording with a view to amending the Eurlings report along these lines.