EU critical of reform pace in Turkey

Tuesday, June 13, 2006
ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

The European Union criticized Turkey's reform pace in its common position paper for yesterday's Turkey-EU Association Council meeting by highlighting the country's shortcomings in a number of areas including civil-military relations, the judiciary and Cyprus.
The Turkey-EU Association Council meeting in Luxembourg was held separately from an inter-governmental conference that opened and concluded talks on science and research chapter.
Before departing for Luxembourg for the opening of actual accession talks with Turkey on the first EU chapter, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül, however, vowed that Turkey would keep up with the reforms, stressing thatNinth Harmonization Package would pass in Parliament before the summer recess.
On the role of military the EU document -- prepared by the EU Commission to outline the 25-nation bloc's position and which was submitted at the Turkey-EU Association Council meeting -- said Turkey should work towards greater accountability and transparency in the conduct of security affairs.
Touching on a shadowy bombing targeting a bookstore in the southeastern town of Şemdinli, in which two noncommissioned officers and a former member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) were involved, the EU document voiced the ctation that the ongoing judicial proceedings as regards the Şemdinli affair would be held in accordance with the principle of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
Brussels raised concerns over ongoing reports of torture and ill-treatment in Turkey.
As regards freedom of expression, serious concerns remain, said the document, citing cases pending against individuals for non-violent expression of opinion based on Article 301 of the new penal code.
In the area of freedom of religion, the EU urged Turkey to re-open the Heybeliada (Halki) Greek Orthodox Seminary and also called on Turkey to address the situation of the Alawite community.
As regards cultural rights, Brussels urged Turkey to remove the remaining obstacles, particularly with regard to local and regional private radio/TV broadcasts in languages other than Turkish.
The EU raised concerns over so-called “honor killings” by saying that they continue to occur in spite of the heavy penalties provided for by the new penal code.
Referring to increasing tension in southeastern Anatolia, the document said the EU unequivocally condemns the PKK's actions and calls upon it to cease all provocations and violence immediately.
On Cyprus, the EU called on Turkey to take concrete steps for the normalization of its relations with all EU member states including Greek Cyprus as soon as possible.
Touching on the antiterror bill, the document said there were persisting concerns about far-reaching provisions in the draft that could have some negative implications for the exercise of fundamental freedoms.