Commenting on the annual report on the progress of Turkey towards EU accession, presented by the European Commission today, London’s Green MEP Jean Lambert said:
"This report reflects the broad feeling in Europe that crucial reforms in Turkey must not be put on the back burner. The Commission notes that little has been done on vital issues such as freedom of opinion and expression over the last year. There has been even less progress as regards civil control over the army, with the army interfering in the political crisis earlier this year. There are no excuses to justify further delay.
"Despite the difficult domestic situation, the government in Ankara must stick to the reform path. Article 301, outlawing the ‘insult of Turkishness’, has become synonymous with the old Turkey and is not compatible with a country aspiring for EU membership. The Turkish government needs to revive its former zeal for reform and strengthen freedom of opinion and the rights of religious minorities. It must also seek a sustainable solution for the Kurdish situation through economic, democratic, social and cultural reforms. In exchange, the EU should guarantee fair negotiations with the aim of full membership of Turkey at the end of the process, if the Turkish people so choose."