Brussels, 05/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Council of Europe is preparing to give Turkey a serious nudge in the direction of the European Union. If it follows the advice of the follow-up committee, its parliamentary assembly will, in April, decide to close the very intense monitoring procedure that Turkey has undergone since 1996 and will welcome the progress made toward complying with human rights and democracy. Nonetheless, if it follows the opinion given by its committee, the parliamentary assembly will maintain serious criticism and will propose continued dialogue on twelve essential issues, mainly respect of minorities, torture and the role of the armed forces.
In its opinion of 3 March, the follow-up committee considers that "Turkey has achieved more reforms in little more than two years than in the previous ten". It considers that "over the last three years, Turkey has clearly demonstrated its commitment and ability to fulfil its statutory obligations as a Council of Europe member state". Given the progress accomplished since 2001, it advises the Assembly to express confidence in the fact that "the Turkish authorities will apply and consolidate the reforms in question, whose implementation will require considerable changes to its legislation and regulations, extending beyond 2004". As a result, it advises the parliamentary assembly to "close the monitoring procedure under way since 1996".