Romano Prodi on Thursday began the first visit here by the executive chief of the European Union in 40 years and urged Turkey to press forward with reforms and push for a solution to the divided island of Cyprus

The predominantly Muslim country is eager to join the EU and has carried out sweeping political changes in the last two years as it tries to meet EU standards. Ankara has abolished the death penalty and has granted greater cultural rights to Kurds, who are not recognized as an official minority. "My main message is to continue along the path of reforms because impressive progress has been achieved," Prodi said at a news conference after talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "The country is now closer to the Union." Turkey hopes that European leaders, who will be meeting in December, will agree to open long-awaited membership talks. Although finding a solution to the Cyprus issue is not technically a condition for Turkey to start membership talks, the EU has also made it clear that negotiations could falter if Cyprus remains split between the Turkish-controlled north and the Greek Cypriot south. A solution to Cyprus "is not a precondition," Prodi said. "But this will be a big help." Accompanying Prodi was the EU commissioner for enlargement, Gьnter Verhьgen. Later, in an address to Turkey's Parliament, Prodi said that "a settlement would also greatly facilitate Turkey's membership aspirations." "This is not a formal condition," he added, "but a political reality."