The European Union has reportedly approved an agreement adapting its customs union with Turkey to the 10 new EU member states.
EU foreign ministers endorsed the protocol without discussion, sending it to Turkey for signature. Ankara's top EU negotiator, Economy Minister Ali Babacan, has said Turkey will sign it as soon as it receives the document.
Once it has signed, Ankara will have met all the conditions set by the EU for opening membership talks on October 3rd.
However, the EU must still approve a negotiating mandate for the executive European Commission, which could lead to more wrangling over Turkey's refusal to recognise Cyprus, diplomats said.