Türkiye's Justice Minister and EU Enlargement Chief Hold Reform Talks in Ankara

Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek met with European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn in Ankara on Tuesday for a session lasting roughly 75 minutes, focusing on Türkiye's progress since accession negotiations opened on 3 October 2005.

Cicek told reporters that Türkiye had carried out genuine reforms in pursuit of EU membership and expected those efforts to be reflected in an EU progress report due on 8 November. He also noted that expanding civil liberties is particularly difficult during periods of active violence and insecurity.

Rehn described the exchange as open and constructive, flagging concerns about Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code and how certain legal interpretations restrict freedom of expression. "We had a very open, comprehensive and constructive discussion," he said.

Rehn indicated he would continue the dialogue in separate meetings with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul on Wednesday.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in October 2006, in its own words.