Brussels, 14/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU trusts that the sound victory of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) in legislative elections on 12 June opens the way to further reform in Turkey - mainly of the constitution - and will give fresh impetus to the country's talks on membership to the EU. With 50% of the votes, the AKP won its third consecutive victory (since 2002) and holds a comfortable majority in parliament. On the other hand, the party did not win the two-thirds majority required for reforming the constitution on its own. Erdogan will therefore have to form alliances with other political formations if he hopes to reform the fundamental law drafted nearly 30 years ago during the military period. He has already announced, moreover, that he will be working on reaching consensus with his opponents in order to make constitutional changes. “We congratulate you on the outcome of the general elections held on 12 June”, Herman Van Rompuy and José Manuel Barroso write in a congratulatory telegramme to Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “The results open the way to further strengthening Turkey's democratic institutions, as well as to the continued modernisation of the country, in line with European values and standards”, the president of the European Council and the Commission president say. Both leaders are “convinced the coming period offers new opportunities for further reforms, including work on a new constitution in the broadest possible consultation and a spirit of dialogue and compromise and for strengthening confidence between Turkey and all EU member states”. Van Rompuy and Barroso also hope that progress made in the field of reform will give fresh momentum to accession talks. These talks, as one knows, are almost at a standstill (only one of the 35 chapters have been closed after 6 years of talks), mainly due to the many dossiers blocked for political reasons. Jerzy Buzek, EP President, has also congratulated Erdogan for his “landslide victory”, while reminding the prime minister of the “big responsibility” that he must shoulder if he is to “continue along the path of necessary reforms”. Reform of the constitution, in particular, should be “transparent and inclusive”, with “consultation of all main sectors of society and in close cooperation with the opposition”, Buzek says. The EP president also trusts the new government will “continue the EU accession process with renewed determination and energy”. Finally, the government should also undertake to strengthen rule of law, the freedom of expression and media, as well as minority rights in the country, Buzek states. Ria Oomen-Ruijten, EP rapporteur on Turkey, also calls on the new government under Erdogan to pursue reform and to “engage constructively” in membership negotiations. The AKP “has more than ever a great responsibility in achieving reforms promised and needed for EU membership”, said Hélène Flautre (Greens, France), calling on Erdogan to seek dialogue and consensus with the opposition for major projects such as the new constitution or settlement of the Kurd problem. Far from being a handicap for Turkey, this search for national consensus, she said, is an opportunity for democratisation and the achievement of social peace. Freedom of expression, independent and impartial justice, the strengthening of local powers should be political priorities for those in power, Flautre said. Werner Langen (EPP, Germany) took quite a different line. The AKP's victory will not contribute to bringing Turkey closer to Europe. On the contrary, it “opens the road to Turkish Islamisation”, he said. The country is growing increasingly distant from Europe. Turkey is further from accession than it was in 2005 and at the beginning of accession talks, Langen affirmed. (H.B./transl.jl)