EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CRITICIZES TURKEY FOR SLOW REFORM
PanARMENIAN.Net
28.03.2008 13:33 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The European Parliament criticized Turkey for slowing
down the reforms provided by the EU accession talks. EP rapporteur
Oomen Ruijten developed a report which records lack of rule of law
in the country.
The General Staff’s initiative on dissolution of the AKP ruling party
was also subjected to sharp criticism. She made a special mention of
investigation into Ergenekon network and arrest of over 40 people,
including politicians, journalists and intellectuals.
"Despite adoption of the bill allowing to wear a headscarf university,
it’s not put into practice," Ms Ruijten said, adding that the army
should restrain its activities.
The EP rapporteur called on the Turkish authorities to repeal article
301 and resolve the Kurdish problem politically, RIA Novosti reports.
Turkish media says the draft report may be amended before April 3,
then it will be submitted for EP vote.
Accession talks were launched in October 2005. The process may take
some 10-15 years.