Recently the invitations have included a number of conditions concerning the implementation of democratic reforms in the applicant state.

The speed at which this process advances is of course determined in each case by the level of preparation of the applicant state.

This applies to: An accredited, government-owned laboratory operated by the applicant State or unit of local government.

Especially when it comes to the applicant state of Turkey, it can be seen that the EU operates a double standard.

Cyprus, we must remember, is an applicant state for European Union accession which has had a positive avis from the Commission.

The Coverdell law sets a floor for the total amount an eligible applicant State will receive as its Coverdell grant.

In particular, we must always look at the social implications of adjustment if we want to ensure that the citizens of the applicant state give their broad support to democracy and the social market economy.

It is unacceptable that we should treat an applicant state of the European Union in a time of crisis and tension to a three or four minute debate as part of the topical and urgent debate.

Germany's proposal to designate Turkey an Applicant State and to assess it in accordance with the same Copenhagen Criteria as applied to the other candidates, did not meet with agreement in Cologne, but this issue remains on the agenda.