9/11: Martin Schulz, Leader of the S&D group in the European Parliament (EP) visit to Istanbul
10/11: Bureau and Head of Delegations meetings
11/11: John Bruton (EU Ambassador to US) meeting with Martin Schulz on creating links with Democratic Party Council. Schulz highlights need for greater EP relations with US administration. Need to promote stable peace in Iraq as in Europe’s best interests. Bruton states that there is need to get Congressmen interested in EU
16/11: Meeting Schulz and President of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso: discussions on possible names of new Commissioners
23-25/11 visit to Turkey by Schulz and EP delegation and the opening of negotiations with Turkey for membership. Issue of Turkish position on Cyprus. Schulz says that Turkish membership of EU not just of interest of Turkey but of all European nations. Schulz discussions with Erdogan: need for Turkey to implement necessary steps as precondition to negotiations
26/11: PES (Party of European Socialists) Conclave, Madrid: European Social Model, immigration policy, taxation and political situation in Ukraine (elections). Any idea of European quota on immigration would be problematic
1/12 : Schulz in favour of option clause in member’s statute (MEP) – ethical standards and code of conduct
8/12 : Schulz organises meeting on planning for 2005 with PES playing key role in EP and in international relations
13/12 : Opinions on Turkey negotiations. UK and Germany completely against "privileged partnership’ option. UK wants no mention of alternative to membership
14-17: Preliminary work on Summit to decide on formally opening accession negotiations with Turkey
20/12: Meeting between Schulz and Klaus Topfer, Director of UN Environment Programme. The latter stresses need for closer links between EU and UN to meet the challenges of multilateralism. EU is counter project to other environmental policies, which are linked to cultural questions.

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