Brussels, 21/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU-Turkey Joint Consultative Committee, which brings together representatives of organised civil society, has urged the EU and Turkey to make progress in the accession process. The call came in a statement adopted at the Committee's 29th meeting in Istanbul. The Committee asked the Turkish government to carry out “open and transparent reform of the constitution” by holding consultations with the country's main political forces and civil society organisations. Committee members want the forthcoming reform of the constitution to strengthen freedom of expression and the media, and boost the independence of professional organisations. European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) President Staffan Nilsson underlined the importance of the process of democratisation in Turkey to the leaders and people involved in the Arab spring.
Turkish European Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis repeated his government's commitment to joining the EU. In this he was supported by the EESC president: “I am confident that the political leadership and vision which has guided the EU for 60 years will prevail despite the crisis. The EESC will always insist that Turkey's accession is part of that vision”, said Nilsson. (CG/transl.rt)