EU Commissioner Expects Turkey To Join EU Within 10-15 Years

BERLIN - EU Commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn said on Monday that he expected Turkey to join the EU within 10-15 years in case it maintained reforms firmly.
In an exclusive interview with German Die Welt daily newspaper, Rehn said the EU was planning to open two new chapter headings with Turkey in June.
Asked what the EU expected from Turkey, Rehn said Turkey was passing through a very critical period, which it had not experienced since the start of EU membership negotiations in 2005.
Rehn said Turkey might become stronger after the critical period in case all the parties developed a culture of reconciliation and necessary reforms were fulfilled.
Speaking about the tangible expectations, Rehn said the EU expected freedom of speech for everybody and protection of women`s and minority rights.
Commenting on the possible reaction of the EU in case Turkey`s ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party is closed, Rehn said the ban would damage the reform process.
(AY-MS)