02/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Turkish Parliament began discussion, on Thursday afternoon and evening, of thirteen reforms on human rights necessary for meeting the political criteria for EU membership. Reforms include: abolition of the death penalty (but in peace time only, according to the Turkish project); diffusion and teaching of the Kurdish language; and improved conditions for the freedom of expression. Debating resumed on Friday afternoon and was expected to end late that night. The Parliament must vote on each of the projects in turn and then on the package as a whole. The pro-European parties trust that, if the Parliament is successful in approving the reforms, the EU will, at the Copenhagen Summit of 12 and 13 December, give their country a date for launching accession talks.