ISTANBUL, Turkey, April 12, SPA -- The European Commission'sPresident says the EU is committed to negotiations towardTurkey's membership and urges the country to speed upreforms. Jose Manuel Barroso says he has encouraged Prime MinisterRecep Tayyip Erdogan to «move ahead on the reform path forthe good of the country and to bring the country closer toEU membership.» Barroso was ending his three-day visit to Turkey onSaturday, the Associated Press reported. The 27-nation EU opened entry talks with Turkey in 2005,but there has been little progress because of disagreementsover Cyprus and opposition from some EU countries.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/545454