EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ADOPTS ACCESSION PROGRESS REPORT ON TURKEY

Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
27 Sep 06

Strasbourg, 27 September: European Parliament on Wednesday [27
September] approved Turkey report which was prepared by Dutch
parliamentarian Camiel Eurlings.

During voting of the report, 429 parliamentarians voted positive
against 71 parliamentarians, and 125 parliamentarians abstained.

The report, which is not binding but recommendatory, calls Turkey to
accelerate reforms on the path to EU membership.

The report wants Turkey to speed up reforms and implementations
especially on freedom of expression, religious rights, minority
rights, civilian-soldier relations, women rights, labour unions,
cultural rights and independence of jurisdiction areas.

Expressing pleasure over Turkish government’s preparing the 9th
reform package, the report recommended the new anti-terrorism law
not to include restrictive elements against basic rights and freedom.

The report called Turkey to amend Articles 216, 277, 288, 301, 305
and 318 of Turkish Penal Code (TCK) claiming that they are open to
arbitrary interpretation.

The report also strongly condemned PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party]
terrorist organization.

Noting that discharge of Van Public Prosecutor Ferhat Sarikaya from
his post was concerning, the report claimed that developments after
Semdinli incidents showed that the role of army continues in Turkish
society.

The report asks Turkey to drop 10 per cent election threshold, and
thus, a broader representation, including Kurdish parties, will be
provided at Turkish parliament.

Noting that a new constitution may be needed to reflect the reforms
on the path to EU membership, the report also condemned attack on
Council of State.

Expressing regret that Turkey could not record a progress in religious
freedom area since the last report of EP, the report calls Turkey to
overcome problems in education of clerics of minorities as well as
their owning properties.

Condemning the attacks of PKK terrorist organization, the report
stressed that EP is in solidarity with Turkey in fight against
terrorism.

The report calls Turkey to abolish village guard system, to find
democratic solution to Kurdish problem and to apply European standards
in custody and arrests.

The report noted that modern, democratic and secular Turkey can
undertake a constructive role in dialogue among civilizations. It
also asked Turkey to take necessary steps and swiftly open border
gate with Armenia to start diplomatic and good neighbourhood relations
with this country.

The report also wanted Turkey to open its ports to Greek Cypriot
vessels, stating that Turkey’s recognition of all EU countries
including Greek Cypriot administration is a compulsory part of EU
negotiation process.