Brussels, 28/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - The positive referendum of 12 September on reform of the constitution was a “step towards EU accession” but Turkey must do more to protect freedom of the press and religious freedom and to resolve the Cypriot problem, affirmed Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle addressing the joint EU-Turkey parliamentary committee which met in Brussels on 26 October. The 2010 progress report on Turkey, to be published by the European Commission on 9 November, will mention these failings but will also note positive developments such as reform of the judiciary or the lifting of restrictions on broadcasting in languages other than Turkish. Egemen Bagis, the Turkish minister for European affairs and chief negotiator for accession, said that the referendum on reform of the constitution was a “turning point” in relations with the EU. He also said it was increasingly difficult to explain to the Turkish people “why the EU was still delaying the accession process”. Turkish deputies underlined the need for the EU to do away with the visa obligation for Turkish citizens. (H.B./transl.jl)