28/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - Within the framework of accession negotiations with Turkey, the committee of permanent representatives to the EU (Coreper), on Thursday 27 September, approved the European Commission's screening report on the trans-European networks chapter. The analytical assessment of Turkish legislation in this area, carried out by the Commission, indicated that Turkey was technically ready to begin accession talks on this chapter. Consequently, the Portuguese presidency will invite Ankara to present its negotiating position ahead of the opening of negotiations. The trans-European networks chapter is not among the eight chapters on which negotiations have been suspended since December 2006 because of Turkey's refusal to apply the protocol on the extension of the EU-Turkey customs union to Cyprus. (hb)