Ankara - The European Union Tuesday told Turkey it must speed up reforms in the fields of human rights and freedom of association as it prepares to take up membership of the union. The EU also warned of negative consequences if the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is closed down by the courts.
Speaking after a meeting in Ankara of the EU troika (representing the EU presidency, commission and its future presidency) and Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitri Rupel praised recent reforms carried out by the Turkish government.
In particular they noted that recent changes that watered down the notorious Article 301 of the criminal code that made it a jailable offence to insult Turkishness and a new foundations law that gives further rights to minority groups were both positive developments
In regards to further reforms, Rehn said that issues such as establishing a completely independent judiciary and strengthening human rights were a priority as well as the establishment of an ombudsman's office with powers to look into state abuses.
Rehn also criticized the way Turkish police violently broke up trade union protests in Istanbul on May 1, saying the police response was disproportionate and that trade union rights must be enhanced, "both in theory and in practice."
Rehn made it clear that the European Commission was against a court case that could see the AKP banned and said because Turkey was a candidate for EU membership, the commission could not stay neutral on the matter.
Opposition parties in Turkey have strongly criticized the commission's vocal opposition to the closure case, accusing it of meddling in Turkey's internal affairs. The pro-Islamic AKP faces closure on charges that it is undermining the secular nature of the state.
Rehn refused to comment on what exactly would be the position of Turkey's accession talks if the AKP is banned, saying merely saying the move would have "negative consequences."
