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TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY DENOUNCES EP'S CRITICAL REPORT
PanARMENIAN.Net
March 10, 2011 - 16:32 AMT 12:32 GMT
Turkish Foreign Ministry officials denounced a critical report on
Turkey passed Wednesday in the European Parliament, saying it was
biased and influenced by individual parliamentarians' domestic
concerns.
'While partially referring to the positive steps taken in the field
of reforms in our country, [the report] essentially takes a one-sided
stance and includes elements that do not correspond to the realities
and hence are not acceptable to us,' the Foreign Ministry said in
a statement.
The report, prepared by Turkey rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruyjten, takes the
stance that accession talks with Turkey that began in 2005 are only
'the starting point for a long-lasting and open-ended process.'
It criticizes Turkey for its 'slow progress' in 2010 on reforms and
human rights issues such as gender equality and freedom of religion
and the press, particularly in light of a wave of recent arrests of
journalists in Turkey.
The resolution also calls on the Turkish government to more actively
support negotiations towards a resolution of the Cyprus issue, which
continues to be a major obstacle to the opening of new chapters in
membership talks for Turkish accession to the EU.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry blamed the 'domestic political considerations
of a limited number of MEPs representing certain member states'
for the tone and content of the report.
'There are presuppositions and prejudices regarding the Cyprus issue
and freedom of the press. It is impossible for us to accept these,'
said Turkey's chief EU negotiator, Egemen Bagis, M&C reported.
From: A. Papazian
PanARMENIAN.Net
March 10, 2011 - 16:32 AMT 12:32 GMT
Turkish Foreign Ministry officials denounced a critical report on
Turkey passed Wednesday in the European Parliament, saying it was
biased and influenced by individual parliamentarians' domestic
concerns.
'While partially referring to the positive steps taken in the field
of reforms in our country, [the report] essentially takes a one-sided
stance and includes elements that do not correspond to the realities
and hence are not acceptable to us,' the Foreign Ministry said in
a statement.
The report, prepared by Turkey rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruyjten, takes the
stance that accession talks with Turkey that began in 2005 are only
'the starting point for a long-lasting and open-ended process.'
It criticizes Turkey for its 'slow progress' in 2010 on reforms and
human rights issues such as gender equality and freedom of religion
and the press, particularly in light of a wave of recent arrests of
journalists in Turkey.
The resolution also calls on the Turkish government to more actively
support negotiations towards a resolution of the Cyprus issue, which
continues to be a major obstacle to the opening of new chapters in
membership talks for Turkish accession to the EU.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry blamed the 'domestic political considerations
of a limited number of MEPs representing certain member states'
for the tone and content of the report.
'There are presuppositions and prejudices regarding the Cyprus issue
and freedom of the press. It is impossible for us to accept these,'
said Turkey's chief EU negotiator, Egemen Bagis, M&C reported.
From: A. Papazian