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  • Ankara Criticized On Press Freedom

    ANKARA CRITICISED ON PRESS FREEDOM
    Fabrice Randoux

    Europolitics information society
    November 2, 2009

    A "balanced report." That was the reaction of Egemen Bagis, the Turkish
    minister for EU relations, to the European Commission's annual report
    on Turkey, published on 14 October. The Commission denounced attacks
    on the freedom for the press and unions, children's rights and sexual
    equality.

    It showed particular concern over the large fines (over a billion
    euro) imposed on the private Dogan Yayin Holding (DYH) media group
    for unpaid taxes. "If a tax fine is worth the annual turnover of a
    company it's quite a strong sanction and it may not only be a tax
    sanction but it seems like a political sanction," said Olli Rehn, the
    commissioner for enlargement. "There are too many provisions in the
    penal code that could be used to restrict free expression," he added.

    The Commission also lamented "little progress" in terms of political
    and constitutional reforms, the fights against corruption, free supply
    of services and company law.

    REPORT "SOFT" ON CYPRUS

    On relations with Cyprus, the report notes the absence of progress
    on the opening of Turkish ports and airports since 2006. The EU had
    decided to freeze eight of the 33 chapters of negotiations (see box)
    as a result of Ankara's refusal to do this. But the Commission did
    not recommend new sanctions, limiting itself to declaring it "urgent
    that Turkey fulfil its obligations".

    The EU executive is clearly keen not to disrupt delicate talks,
    initiated in September 2008 and overseen by the United Nations,
    intended to result in a unified Cyprus. The division of the island
    since 1974 is an "anachronism," in the eyes of Rehn, "20 years after
    the end of the Berlin Wall".

    ARMENIA AND KURDISH RIGHTS

    The report, however, commends the normalisation of relations between
    Armenia and Turkey, two rival countries with a shared bloody history,
    which signed a historic accord in Switzerland, on 10 October, sealing
    their reconciliation. It also applauds the Turkish government for
    opening a "wide public debate" on the Kurdish question, adding that
    it was "crucial" that it is "followed by concrete measures" to help
    the minority in the South-West of the country. The Commission also
    approved of the launch of a Kurdish television channel.

    The Commission said it was also pleased with the signing of an
    intergovernmental agreement for the Nabucco gas pipeline which,
    from 2014, will link the gas fields of Central Asia to Europe,
    bypassing Russia. It said this was a contribution to gas security,
    which would benefit "Turkey as much as the EU".

    The remaining negotiations with Ankara seem to be in firm stalemate
    with a lack of motivation on both sides. Since the start of the year,
    only one chapter has been opened, that on taxation.

    Status of accession talks

    Eleven chapters opened: Science and research, business and industrial
    policy, statistics, financial monitoring, trans-European networks,
    consumer protection and health, company law, intellectual property
    rights, information society and media, free movement of capital
    and taxation.

    One chapter provisionally closed: Science and research

    Eight chapters suspended: Free movement of goods, right to
    establishment and supply of services, financial services, agriculture
    and rural development, fisheries, transport, customs union, external
    relations.

    Chapters blocked by France: Economic and monetary policy, regional
    policy and policy for the structural instruments of coordination,
    agriculture and rural development, financial and budgetary provisions,
    institutional questions.

    Chapters blocked by Cyprus: Energy, education and culture
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