Turkey has expressed its political will to become a member of the EU many times during this long and sometimes uncertain path. The Turkish parliament recently adopted a landmark legislation and demonstrated its political will and resolve to fulfill the copenhagen criteria and therefore become a member of the European union. This comprehensive reform package is of historic significance in its scope and content and has opened up new horizons for the Turkish republic. The package includes almost all the controversial issues that have been fiercely debated by the Turkish public since the beginning of the adoption of the national programme. This package contains the most sweeping and comprehensive reforms ever achieved by our country since Turkey entered into a multi-party democratic system in 1946. In a period of political uncertainty and an early general election environment, the adoption of these reforms demonstrates clearly the firm commitment of our nation to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and protection of minorities as universal values. The response of the parliament enjoys the support of the vast majority for the Turkish nation as almost every public opinion poll conducted since the Helsinki Summit indicates that around 70 percent of the Turkish nation has always expressed their preference for integration with the European Union. The Copenhagen summit will therefore be a lithmus test for the Turkish candidacy, yet it will also test the courage, wisdom and farsightedness of the whole continent shaping the politics of the 21st century. The EU and Turkey have a historic responsibility to build such a future. Read text in full