ANKARA SLAMS EU REPOT ON TURKEY ‘SLUGGISHNESS’
Written by The Media Line Staff

The Media Line, NY
Sept 6 2006

Turkey is dismissing a damning report from the European Union, which
claims Ankara is dragging its feet on reforms, imperative to paving
Turkey’s way into the EU.

A recent report adopted on Monday by the EU General Assembly’s
foreign affairs committee criticized Turkey for its slow progress in
democratic reforms.

But Ankara said the report "lacked common sense" and "smacked of
political bias," Turkish Daily News reported.

The required reforms include the protection of minorities and freedom
of expression and religion.

The EU is also insisting Turkey recognizes Cyprus and has been
critical of Ankara’s refusal to recognize the killing of Armenians
during World War I as a genocide.

Dutch lawmaker Camiel Eurlings, who penned the report, said Turkey
must move forward with its efforts to incorporate reforms, or else
risk halting accession negotiations.

Last week the EU warned Turkey that its refusal to open ports and
harbors to transportation from Cyprus, an EU member, could cause a
crisis in the talks.

The committee report will be debated by the EU General Assembly later
this month.

Turkey is engaged in accession talks into the 25-member bloc. Talks
could take up to 15 years, and entry is not guaranteed.

Some governments are reluctant to see the mostly Muslim and relatively
poor Turkey enter the EU.