EU governments are considering their response to last week’s vote by the European Parliament

Date: 26/09/1996

to freeze Union funding for Turkey. Accusing Turkey of breaking its promises to improve human rights conditions, the assembly voted by 319 to 23 to block next year's 53-million-ecu instalment of a five-year, 375-million-ecu financial aid package linked to the EU-Turkey customs union. The Commission and the Council of Ministers both believe Turkey should continue to receive funds.