The European Commission has reaffirmed its aims to bring Turkey into the 25-nation bloc, but not before 2014.
During talks in Brussels today, the EC also adopted a draft mandate to start negotiations on Turkey's accession despite fierce internal and public debate.
The draft mandate reaffirms that the ultimate goal of the talks is Turkish membership of the EU.
The text of the document is to form the basis for entry negotiations with the government in Ankara which are due to start in October.
