Est. 2min 07-11-2007 (updated: 28-05-2012 ) istanbul_isp_Erik_de_Graaf.jpg Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram The Commission’s progress report on Turkey published yesterday (6 November) adopts a softer tone compared to last year’s, but continues to insist on reforms, especially in the area of freedom of expression. In its regular progress report on 6 November, the Commission expressed its disappointment over the slowdown of reform in Turkey, and called on the country to step up its efforts on the road to EU accession. Noting only “limited progress” made towards reform so far, the report said that “significant further efforts are needed” to guarantee freedom of expression, limit the military’s influence on politics, as well as ensure minority rights. This is particularly directed at article 301 of the Turkish penal code, which makes “insulting Turkishness” a criminal offence and has resulted in a number of court cases against writers and journalists. “It is simply not acceptable in a European democracy that writers, journalists, academics and other intellectuals are prosecuted for simply expressing a critical opinion,” Rehn told reporters on 6 November. “The infamous article 301 of the penal code must be repealed or amended without delay.” On a more positive note, the Commission praised the mastering of a major political crisis this year from which Turkey emerged “with reinforced democratic institutions”. However, Rehn underlined that “now the time has come for Turkey to regenerate the reform process”, saying that at least two chapters, on consumer and health protection, as well as trans-European networks, could be opened in the coming weeks. The Commission said that “further progress” is also needed on the fight against corruption, the judicial system, trade union rights, children’s and women’s rights, cultural rights and civilian oversight of the military. Moreover, the division of Cyprus, which had led the EU to partially freeze Turkish membership talks last year, remains unresolved. Meanwhile, Turkey is facing continuous terrorist attacks from the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK). The EU said it condemned all terrorist attacks and understood Turkey’s security concerns. Rehn urged Turkey and Iraq to tackle the issue through cooperation, in the hope of reaching a political solution and thus averting Turkish military intervention. Read more with Euractiv EU credits Serbia by initialling pre-membership pact Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn announced that he will initial a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia today (7 November) – a key step on the country's path to EU accession – despite concerns that Belgrade could be doing more to bring alleged war criminals to justice. Positions Sinan Ülgen, chairman of the Centre for Economic and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM) in Istanbul commented, that the report was "balanced evaluation" and was "not prone to give rise to strong reactions in Turkey", as the last report did. According to the analyst, Turkey will especially welcome are the wordings indicating understanding for Turkey's fight against PKK terrorism. On the negative side, Ülgen adds, a call for normalising relations with Cyprus will be seen as counterproductive as long as no similar pressure is brought to bear on the Papadopoulos regime for the rejuvenation of the political settlement negotiations. He concluded: "The next important step from the Turkish perspective will be the outcome of Sarkozy's idea of a committee of wise men reporting on the future of Europe. This should not be transformed into a tool to substantiate calls for a "privileged partnerhsip"." UK Europe Minister Jim Murphy said that the UK will continue to "champion EU enlargement". He added: "The report recognises that Turkey has introduced major reforms over the last few years and has successfully held parliamentary and presidential elections. Now that a new government is in place, we need the pace of progress to pick up." Socialist group spokesmen Jan Marinus Wiersma and Hannes Swoboda said in a statement: "The slowdown in reform was understandable, up to a point, in the past election year. But now that Erdogan has a strong mandate, he should seize this opportunity to restore the reform process." EPP-ED group member and rapporteur of the parliament's report on Turkey, Ria Oomen-Ruijten, stated: "I am glad to see that the Commission has taken aboard the Parliament's suggestions to put EU-Turkey relations on a broader footing. After recent elections, the Turkish government has to use its strong mandate to make necessary reforms." Green MEP and chairman of the Turkey-EU delegation, Joost Lagendijk, said: "This report reflects the broad feeling in Europe that badly-needed reforms in Turkey must not be put on the long finger. The Commission notes that little has been done on vital issues such as freedom of opinion and expression over the last year [...] There are no excuses to justify further delay". Liberal MEP Alexander Graf Lambsdorff (ALDE) commented: "Recent progress on reforms in Turkey has been disappointing, as the Commission rightly points out. Now, however, the government has a strong mandate to push ahead with a reformist agenda." BackgroundTurkey became an official candidate country in 2005, but progress in negotiations has been slow. Following last year's report, the EU decided to suspend membership talks in eight out of 35 negotiating areas, due to Turkey's refusal to open up its ports and airports to ships and planes from EU member Cyprus. Since last December, four negotiating chapters have been opened on enterprise and industrial policy, statistics, financial control and energy. But under President Nicolas Sarkozy, an outspoken critic of Turkish accession, France managed to block the opening of the chapter on economic and monetary union. Further ReadingEU official documents Commission:Progress report on Turkey(6 November 2007) Commission:Implementing the renewed consensus on enlargement(6 November 2007) Commission:Key findings of the progress reports on the candidate countries: Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey(6 November 2007)
