Convincing progress must be made in both the political reforms and on all Cyprus related issues for Turkey`s accession negotiations with the EU to move forward, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle said in Ankara, at the start of the meeting of the working group on the Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental rights).
The EU Commissioner is in Turkey to discuss recent developments in the country, in the EU-Turkey relations and the future of the accession process. He met with President of the Republic Abullah Gül, President of the Constitutional Court Haşim Kiliç and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoğlu.
Fule, noted that “an independent and impartial judiciary and the respect for fundamental rights are of a crucial significance for EU accession. They are at the very heart of the European values. Hence our strong insistence on continuing engagement with the Turkish partners on these matters”.
“It is my task, as the Commissioner for Enlargement, to report on the developments in all candidate countries and to assist them in the alignment efforts. I do hope that after this meeting, I can report back in Brussels to the Council and the European Parliament that despite recent turbulences, Turkey is willing to move reforms forward. Your strong commitment to further reforms is indispensable” Füle said, according to the European Commission website.
He noted that “I have already witnessed a number of courageous and positive reforms implemented by Turkey. Let`s not undermine these efforts. We have invested a lot, time, energy and also financial resources. Now we need to re-accelerate the process, starting hopefully from this meeting”.
“Today provides an opportunity to exchange views on the basis of the reports drafted by independent experts. These reports have been shared with the Turkish authorities and I hope that, once finalised, they will be used as a roadmap for the future reforms in the area of judiciary and freedom of expression”, he added.
After meeting with the representatives of the Civil Society, Commissioner Füle spoke to the media, noting that “the accession negotiations are the central engine of our relations. But they can only move forward in parallel with convincing progress in both: the political reforms and on all Cyprus related issues. Any setbacks under those two issues will increase doubts about Turkey`s commitment to the EU”.
“I have invited my Turkish colleagues to decisively engage with the EU on a comprehensive and credible reform process and to follow a close dialogue with the Commission in the area of the rule of law and fundamental rights. I have also encouraged Turkey to continue to support efforts in view of a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus”, he noted.
Turkey, a candidate country for EU accession, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member since May 2004. In spite of repeated calls from the EU to normalise relations with Cyprus, Ankara has refused to meet its obligations to Brussels with regard to Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third. Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Dervish Eroglu reached on February 11 an agreement, which led to the resumption of peace talks to reunite the country under a federal roof.