European Parliament Calls On Turkey To Accelerate Reforms

STRASBOURG - A report on Turkey, adopted by a committee of the European Parliament on Monday, calls on Turkey to speed up reforms.
Prior to the voting on the report at the European parliament, Dutch parliamentarian Ria Oomen-Ruijten, who prepared the report, said that Turkey should carry on with reforms for modernization and implementation of the principle of rule of law.
The rapporteur also said she tried to be fair and balanced while preparing the report.
The report, adopted by European Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, expressed concern about the potential consequences of the recent closure case filed against Turkey`s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party.
Turkey`s Constitutional Court should reach its verdict on the issue in accordance with the principle of rule of law and European standards, the report said.
It also said that the government should respect the pluralist structure and diversities in the democratic and secular Turkey while carrying out reforms.
Pointing to the headscarf issue as well, the report said some part of the Turkish public was concerned and disappointed as the headscarf ban at universities was not lifted within the framework of a wide-scale reform package based on the opinions of the civil society.
Regarding Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code that prohibits "insulting Turkishness", the report said amendment of such article should be a priority.
The report also condemned PKK`s terrorist activities and expressed support for Turkey`s fight against terrorism.
Commenting on the Cyprus issue as well, the report expressed the necessity to find a comprehensive solution to the problem in the island.
European Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the report on Turkey by 53 votes to two. Also four committee members abstained.
The report is a non-binding resolution. The final voting on it will be held in general assembly in May.
(DO-GC)