28/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - Freedom of expression is one of the essential foundations of the EU. While the purge of the media continues in Turkey, the European External Action Service (EEAS) spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, pointed out in a press briefing on Thursday 28 July that “freedom of expression is one of the essential foundations of the EU and in this context, Turkey, as a candidate country, needs to aspire to the highest possible democratic standards and practices including freedom of the media”. She expressed concern that, following the entry into force of the state of emergency, arrest warrants (at least 47) have been issued against a large number of journalists and media outlets have been shut down (more than 120 media outlets and publishing houses). She pointed out that everyone had the right to a fair trial and that “it is important that Turkish authorities respect under any circumstances rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms”. (CG)