Brussels, 10/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 10 February, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle called on Turkey to conduct consultations with the European Commission before taking decisions on laws linked to the accession process. “We have discussed the recent developments in Turkey. We have underlined the need for Turkey as a candidate country in accession negotiations to engage in early consultations with the Commission on all laws related to both the accession process and the political criteria”, Füle stated at the end of his ministerial political dialogue - the first in 18 months.
During the meeting, the Europeans - High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle - and Turkey's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ahmet Davutoglu, and Minister for EU Affairs, Mevlüt Cavusoglu, discussed recent developments in Turkey on the important issue of an independent judiciary and the internet law adopted by the Turkish Parliament last week. “With regard to the internet law, the Commission agreed to share in writing a number of the concerns identified, regarding both compatibility with the acquis and EU best practices”, Füle said.
In a press release published on 7 February, Cavusoglu stated that the new law is a response to the dynamic nature of the internet, and he spoke of the increase in cases where private life is violated. He said that the amendment also introduces proportionality as regards blocking internet access. He again called on the EU to make use of communication channels “in order to obtain a complete picture of every legal amendment based on correct and complete information before making a public statement”.
In addition, Füle welcomed Turkey's support over recent weeks to help relaunch talks between the two parties on the Cypriot issue. (CG/transl.fl)