Strasbourg, 10/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - Still concerned by the situation in Turkey, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton called on 9 June for a rapid solution based on dialogue. “The continuing tensions underline the need for restraint on all sides and the importance of finding a quick solution based on dialogue, mutual respect, understanding and inclusiveness”, she said, with demonstrations having gone on for 11 days now. “Open and sustained engagement of the authorities is essential to reinforcing democracy, building confidence and avoiding escalation”, she added.
Ashton also stressed that it is “essential that all violence stops and that all cases of excessive use of force by the police are recognised as such and investigated promptly, and that those responsible are held fully accountable”. She said that she was “deeply saddened” by the many deaths and injuries that have occurred.
Reiterating that the freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, belief and thought and freedom of the media, including the responsibility to exercise it actively, for the benefit of all citizens of the country without discrimination, are among the Copenhagen criteria, Ashton said that “social media must not come under arbitrary pressure”. Any limitations should be strictly within the limits defined by the European Court of Human Rights and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, she added. She stressed that the EU is “fully committed” to reinforcing dialogue with Ankara on these issues and “so to making further progress within Turkey's EU accession process”.
On 7 June, Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle, on a visit to Turkey, said that he was “disappointed” at the opportunity missed at the Istanbul conference attended the same day by Füle and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (see EUROPE 10862), to reach out to those calling for respect and inclusive dialogue.
Erdogan sticking to his guns. On 9 June, Erdogan warned that his government's patience has “its limits”. “We remain patient, we are still patient but our patience has its limits”, he said, adding that “we are not accountable to marginal groups, but to the nation (…). The nation brought us to power and only the nation can remove us from it”. “Those who do not respect the party in power in this country will pay the price”, he went on to warn. He once again described the demonstrators as “looters” and “extremists”. (CG/transl.fl)