The European Commission gave Turkey's hopes of joining the EU a huge boost Thursday saying it saw "no more obstacles" in its way towards a "clear recommendation" on starting EU entry talks with Ankara.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen, who is to publish a report of Turkey's progress on October 6, said his concerns notably over a disputed penal reform bill had been allayed in talks with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan meanwhile pledged to push through the delayed legislation "as soon as possible," with efforts focussing on an extraordinary session of the Turkish parliament called for Sunday to rush the reforms through.

The Turkish leader also confirmed that the proposed new penal code to be presented to parliament in Ankara on Sunday will not criminalize adultery, a provision that threatened to derail its EU aspirations.

"No item which is not already included will be included, and I mean by that the issue of adultery -- we need to adopt all these draft laws all together," he said after meeting party leaders at the European Parliament.

Verheugen recalled that during a visit to Turkey this month to assess its progress towards meeting EU entry criteria, he expressed concerns about two key issues: reform to the penal code and charges of systematic torture in Turkey.

"My conclusion is that there are no more obstacles on the table now," he said, adding: "From my point of view there are no further conditions which Turkey must fulfil in order to allow the commission to make a recommendation."

Verheugen's long-awaited October 6 report will form the basis for EU leaders to decide at a mid-December summit whether or not to start EU membership negotiations with Ankara.

He has long been widely expected to deliver a positive assessment. But a row over the penal reform -- and specifically proposals to make adultery a criminal offence -- has raised serious question marks in Brussels in the last few weeks.

"The assurance I got today from my friend Mr. Erdogan will allow me to make a very clear recommendation," Verheugen said after talks with Erdogan.

The Turkish leader, smiling as he shook hands with Verheugen for the cameras, also expressed satisfaction after the talks.

"I'm very happy as a result of this meeting, which has been very productive," said Erdogan. "I believe that this meeting is going to prepare a very positive foundation for the progress report of Turkey," he said.

Erdogan recalled the reform legislation already passed, and underlined Ankara's determination to implement it.

"We have taken important steps on reforms, and now we are following with important steps in implementing them," he said. "We are very determined to do this ... to implement all the reforms seriously."

European Commission head Romano Prodi, whom Erdogan met shortly after his talks with Verheugen, promised that the October report will be "fair and objective."

Almost simultaneously with Erdogan's talks in Brussels, officials in Ankara said the parliament will meet in extraordinary session on Sunday to debate the disputed penal code.

Parliamentary sources in Ankara said the decision to convene parliament at the weekend was made in Brussels as part of assurances Erdogan gave Verheugen in their talks.

Erdogan was asked at an end-of-day press conference how confident he was that the Commission will give Ankara a green light on October 6.

"We have done our homework. We have worked very hard ... We have fulfilled everything with regard to the political criterial of (the EU) so there is no reason not to receive a positive answer," he said.