21/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, Hans-Gert Pöttering, EPP-ED Group President at the European Parliament and candidate for Parliament presidency (see EUROPE 9307 in particular), restates his opposition to Turkey's full membership to the EU. He went on to say, however, that he believed there was a majority at the EP in favour of accession if Turkey meets all the criteria. But, he added, in Parliament the positive atmosphere regarding Turkey is “evaporating”. The CDU elected representative nonetheless pointed out that “it would be a mistake to break off negotiations completely” with Ankara as “this could mean the end of reform in Turkey”. “The problems in the Middle East are far too important” to take such a risk, Mr Pöttering said, adding that, “if Turkey does not move, there will be other measures before talks are broken off”. On the subject of the European Constitution, Mr Pöttering hopes the forthcoming German EU Presidency will have a “mandate for a conference during which the EU will decide to save the project as far as possible with very few changes”. He was confident Europe would be “reformed by the European elections in June 2009 when it would again be fully able to function”. (mg)