Brussels, 02/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 1 March the European Parliament foreign affairs committee called the EU and Turkey to strengthen relations. Both would gain from closer ties, given their mutual dependence, Turkey's economic potential and its role as a strategic player in the region, in terms both of international and energy relations, it added in a joint resolution adopted by an overwhelming majority (54 votes to seven, with two abstentions). MEPs backed the fresh, new dynamic approach adopted by the Commission with the aim of moving Turkey closer to meeting the conditions for EU accession. They pointed out that Turkey is the only EU candidate country that does not benefit from visa liberalisation and called for work to begin.
Progress to be made. The committee urged Turkey to settle the Cyprus, Armenia and Kurdish issues. The resolution “insists that Turkey's relations with neighbouring EU member states are a key factor in revamping negotiations and dialogue”. MEPs also stated their firm support for “the ongoing negotiations on Cyprus reunification” and regretted Turkey's statements that it would freeze relations with the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers.
MEPs called on Turkey to make progress on judicial reform and the protection of civil liberties and to continue the work done on constitutional reform. “Reforms are vital to create a fully independent and impartial judicial system and raise standards to the level of the EU”, MEPs added.
The vote on the resolution will take place in the mini plenary session in Brussels, on 29 March. (CG/transl.rt)