BRUSSELS, July 21: Dutch Prime Minister and current president of the 25-nation European Union Jan Balkenende on Wednesday urged the bloc's governments not to give in to "fears of Islam" when they decide on Turkey's members of the EU in December.

"We have agreed the rules of the game and these have to be respected. We cannot move the goal posts," Mr Balkenende told the European Parliament. The Dutch premier, who will chair the December meeting of EU leaders, said the Union must show "fair play and consistency" on the question.

Islam should not be used as a reason to keep EU doors closed to Turkey, he said. "We must not allow ourselves to be guided by fear of Islam," the Dutch Prime Minister underlined, adding: "Raising barriers to any particular religion does not fit in with Europe's shared values."

"Islam is not the problem. Muslims, Christians and people of other beliefs can live together perfectly," Mr Balkenende said. "The problem is not religion but the misuse of religion to sow hatred and intolerance and to repress women," the Dutch premier said.

Mr Balkenende promised that EU leaders in December would take their decision on Turkey's entry "honestly" and without inventing new criteria. The leaders' decision will be based largely on a report by the European Commission in October on whether Turkey meets the bloc's political standards for membership.

Commission President Romano Prodi has promised to conduct an "impartial" assessment of Turkey's preparedness to join the Union. "Total impartiality is what we owe our young people, our fellow citizens and the Turkish people who hope to join us," Mr Prodi promised.

The expected EU decision on Turkey is expected to loom large on the bloc's autumn agenda, with politicians and the public divided on the pros and cons of allowing the vast Muslim-majority country to join the EU.