EU CALLS ON TURKEY TO GET CLOSE TO ARMENIA
Azeri Press Agency
Dec 9 2008
Azerbaijan
Brussels. Alexander Kean – APA. The EU believes that Croatia should
speed up reforms, and Turkey has not made sufficient progress for the
EU membership, according to a ministerial meeting of the EU General
Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels, reports the APA
correspondent.
The Council welcomed Croatia’s considerable efforts it has undertaken
this year, but stated that the country should accelerate reforms,
particularly in the judiciary, in public administration, fighting
corruption, punishment for military crimes, as well as economic
reforms.
However, the EU said that Turkey has not made sufficient progress in
reforms over this year.
"The Council notes with regret that Turkey has achieved limited
progress, particularly on the issue of political reform over the
current year ", said the statement.
The Council underlined the strategic importance of Turkey for the EU
and praised its active role in diplomatic initiatives in the South
Caucasus and Middle East.
In addition, the Council called onTurkey to come close to Armenia.
Ministers noted that Turkey still has to do much more in the fields
of judicial reform, fight againt corruption and protection of the
human rights, torture and attitude towards prisoners, protection of
the rights and freedoms, in particular freedom of speech and faith.
In conclusion, the Council also added that Turkey didn’t manage to
make progress towards improving relations with Cyprus and expressed
hope for progress in the near future.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
