Brussels, 16/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - In its progress report on Turkey, adopted on Wednesday 16 October, the European Commission again underlines that “accession negotiations need to regain momentum”.
While the opening of Chapter 22 on regional policy, after more than three years of not opening any negotiating chapters, “will be an important step”, the Commission states that “it is in the interest of both Turkey and the EU that the opening benchmarks for Chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice, freedom and security) are agreed upon and communicated to Turkey as soon as possible with a view to enabling the opening of negotiations”. These chapters are currently being blocked by Cyprus. “If we want Turkey to tackle the issue of fundamental rights, then let's use the most efficient tool” - Chapters 23 and 24, said Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle (our translation).
According to the report, Turkey's reform efforts have continued, “notably with the adoption of an important judiciary reform package, the announcement of a democratisation package and the start of peace talks”. The Commission adds that Turkey's alignment efforts with the acquis communautaire continued.
However, progress still needs to be made. The report underlines the “pressing need” to develop a “truly participative democracy”. The Commission states that the political climate continues to be marked by polarisation, which translates inter alia into “an uncompromising stance in the face of dissent and a failure to protect fundamental rights and freedoms”, as when “police used excessive force in response to a major wave of protests” last spring (see EUROPE 10858).
Ankara must amend its criminal legislation more and reform its interpretation by the judiciary in order to ensure respect for fundamental freedoms, “including freedom of expression and freedom of assembly”. Progress needs to be made on signing the readmission agreement and the simultaneous start of the visa dialogue, the report states. Lastly, Turkey has still not fully conformed with its obligation for the full and non-discriminatory implementation of the additional protocol to the association agreement, the report states. (CG/transl.fl)