ISTANBUL - A representative of the European Union (EU) said that it was now time to negotiate challenging chapters with Turkey.
Jean-Christophe Filori, the head of Turkey Unit at the European Commission's Directorate General for Enlargement, said it was now time to negotiate harder chapters with Turkey.
The easy chapters were over, and now it was time for harder chapters, Filori said during the 26th meeting of Turkey-the EU Joint Consultation Committee in Istanbul.
Filori said that the most important thing candidate countries should do during the negotiation process was reforms, but said there was a slowdown in reforms in Turkey since the beginning of 2009.
However, Turkey restarted to make reforms as of the beginning of 2009, Filori said and defined state-run TRT channel broadcasts in Kurdish and appointment of Egemen Bagis as chief negotiator for EU talks as important steps.
Filori said Turkey should take concrete measures, and pass laws and decrees regarding harder chapters.
The EU representative underlined importance of social politics and employment chapters, and said that Turkey should respect union rights, make changes in regulations, grant the right to organization and strike to civil servants.
Filori also said Turkey should prepare an action plan and implement it gradually.
Also speaking in the meeting, Frantisek Stepanek, the consul general of the Czech Republic--holding the rotating presidency of the EU, in Istanbul, his country was extending strong support to Turkey's EU membership bid.
"We want to see Turkey as an EU member as soon as possible," he said.
Stepanek said that the Czech Republic achieved significant political changes in a short time like 20 years, and this was also an achievable example for Turkey.
Turkey became an EU candidate country in December 1999. The union launched accession talks with Turkey on October 3, 2005.