The report due for 8 November 2006 is expected to criticise the failure to resolve the Cyprus issue, as well as Turkey’s shortcomings in the area of human rights and freedom of expression.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan showed willingness to reform an article in the penal code that makes insulting “Turkishness” punishable. This article has served as a basis for several court cases against journalists and writers and raised heavy criticism from the EU’s side.
Erdogan said: “We are ready for proposals to make article 301 more concrete if there are problems stemming from it being vague.” He added: “Turkish-EU relations are based on such common values as democracy, freedoms and supremacy of law and mutual interests of our peoples. I therefore believe that our EU process has a depth that will not be disrupted”.
Both Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn signalled that they wanted to prevent a complete or partial suspension of the talks.
The Council is expected to take a decision on this issue in December 2006.
