| Author (Person) | Banks, Martin |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.9, No.37, 6.11.03, p2 |
| Publication Date | 06/11/2003 |
| Content Type | News |
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By Martin Banks Date: 06/11/03 ENLARGEMENT Commissioner Günter Verheugen yesterday (5 November) warned Turkey it must "clean up its act" on human rights before it can start talks on joining the EU. He told European Voice the country was "far, far away" from meeting the criteria for accession and faced "very serious shortcomings". His blunt message came after he addressed the European Parliament's mini-plenary session in Brussels. He said: "The question is not when, or whether, Turkey is ready for accession. I have to say that it is still far, far away from that stage. The question is, rather, when will Turkey be ready to meet the conditions required of it to open accession negotiations?" The picture is not totally bleak though. "I am pleased to say [Turkey] has made some positive efforts - it is considerably closer to starting entry talks than it was not so long ago," said Verheugen. "Having said that, my message to Turkey could not be clearer: "Clean up your act on human rights"." The Commission's 133-page monitoring report says that torture still persists in many Turkish prisons and that important judicial rulings aimed at outlawing it have still not been implemented. After another progress report next year, EU leaders will decide in December 2004 whether to launch membership talks with Ankara. "The Commission wants to help Turkey on its way to joining the EU," said Verheugen. "We have tried to be fair and objective . . . in a way that does not allow room for any prejudices. "Turkey is in a position to make considerable progress very quickly but it must concentrate on implementing the reforms already agreed upon and ensure that the spirit of reform is not undermined." On 5th November 2003, the Commission released the Regular Report on the progress towards accession of Turkey to the EU. |
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| Countries / Regions | Turkey |
