EU: TURKEY'S PROGRESS IS POOR, TO PUT IT KINDLY

EU: LEAKED REPORT SAID TO SLAM TURKEY'S PROGRESS


Brussels, 31 Oct. (AKI) - A European Union report leaked to the Financial Times Deutschland allegedly blasts would-be EU member Turkey for failing to make enough progress on freedom of expression, curbing the use of torture and maltreatment - especially outside prisons - and on establishing civilian control over the military.

Financial Times Deutschland quoted a Commission official as saying in the report, which is due to be published on 8 November: 'We would have hoped that Turkey would have delivered a lot more during the past 18 months, certainly since the beginning of negotiations in October last year.'

The report also criticises lingering corruption in Turkey, inadequate protection for minorities and the lack of independence of the judiciary as well as the country's continuing failure to normalise relations with EU member Cyprus and open its ports and airspace to Cypriot ships and planes.

The Finnish EU presidency has convened Cypriot and Turkish representatives for an emergency meeting in Helsinki on 5-6 November in a bid to persuade Turkey to observe a customs union with all EU member states agreed under the Ankara Protol.

The report will worsen already tense relations between Brussels and Ankara, and heighten growing anti-EU sentiment in Turkey, setting the scene for a debate over the future of Turkey's EU hopes at an EU summit on 14-15 December.


Pertinent Links:

1) EU: LEAKED REPORT SAID TO SLAM TURKEY'S PROGRESS