The European Union took a fresh step on Monday towards opening accession talks with Turkey but toned down its commitment to further enlargement after French and Dutch voters rejected the EU constitution. Several EU foreign ministers said the massive referendum "No" votes would have an impact on the pace of further expansion, although none called into question Turkey's agreed Oct. 3 start date for accession talks. The ministers approved a protocol adapting a customs union with Turkey to the 10 new member states, including Cyprus, bringing membership negotiations with Ankara a big step closer, according to Reuters. Once Turkey signs the document, it will have met all conditions set by EU leaders for starting talks in October. Diplomats said EU president Luxembourg was pressing Ankara to sign the accord within the next three weeks, and if possible before Thursday's EU summit, to pre-empt any doubts about the start of negotiations in the light of public hostility shown in the French and Dutch referendums. --More 2357 Local Time 2057 GMT
