Yesterday the European Parliament (EP) voted with an overwhelming majority in favor of a report saying that Turkey is not yet ready to start EU membership talks. With 211 votes in favor and 84 against, in the course of their addresses EP members said while Turkey has made many important reforms since last year in order to meet the political criteria for EU membership, it still needs to implement reforms in many areas. The Euro-deputies had a range of criticisms against Turkey - including the continued active influence of the army in politics and the discrimination of religious minorities. They also raised the question of whether the European Union can absorb "such a large and relatively poor country." As noted by the Assembly of Armenians of Europe, although the European Parliament's report is not legally binding, yesterday's vote will send a negative political signal to Ankara, which lately became much more optimistic about its chances of accession to the EU.