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EU to criticise Turkish progress Brussels condemns 'slow' Turkey
(about 1 hour later)
The European Commission is to issue a critical verdict on Turkey's progress towards EU membership, while trying to avoid a breakdown in relations. The European Commission has given a critical verdict on Turkey's progress towards EU membership.
The report says the pace of reforms in Turkey has slowed, and calls for urgent steps to ensure freedom of speech. A report on the first year of Turkey's EU entry talks says the pace of reforms has slowed, and calls for urgent steps to ensure freedom of speech.
But it stops short of recommending any slowing or freezing of membership negotiations with Turkey. But it stops short of recommending any slowing or freezing of the talks.
The Commission also says it will step up scrutiny of all candidate countries' political reforms in future. The report leaves it to an EU summit next month to decide what to do if Turkey has not by then opened its ports to Cypriot shipping.
There will be a "closer link" between these reforms and the pace of entry talks, it says in its annual review of progress made by states queuing up to join the bloc. "The Commission will make relevant recommendations ahead ofthe December European Council if Turkey has not fulfilled itsobligations," the report says.
Cyprus obstacle Turks tiring
Turkey is likely to be told that it has one last chance to open its ports to ships and planes from Cyprus, reports the BBC's Mark Mardell. TURKISH MARATHON 1959 - Turkey applies for associate membership of EEC1963 - Association agreement with EEC is signed1987 - Application for full EEC membership1995 - Final agreeement on EU-Turkey customs union1999 - Turkey officially becomes EU candidate2005 - Formal opening of accession negotiations href="/1/hi/world/europe/4107919.stm" class="">Q&A: Turkey's EU entry talks href="/1/hi/world/europe/6128098.stm" class="">Balkan candidates' progress
If it doesn't, EU leaders will have to decide next month whether to call off some of the talks. It also says Turkey has made no progress towards normalisation of relations with Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, and lists a range of other problems Ankara has to address.
It is necessary to ensure freedom of expression without delay by... bringing the legislation into line with European standards Draft Commission report Send us your comments
The precise wording has yet to be decided, but the draft text does say Turkey has made no progress towards normalisation of relations with Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004.
The report includes a long list of other problems Turkey has to address.
It says Ankara must ensure freedom of expression "without delay" by repealing or amending article 301 of the penal code, which has led to the prosecution of numerous writers for "insulting Turkishness".It says Ankara must ensure freedom of expression "without delay" by repealing or amending article 301 of the penal code, which has led to the prosecution of numerous writers for "insulting Turkishness".
It also raises serious concerns about allegations of torture, freedom of religion, women's and trade union rights, civilian control over the military, and the rights and freedoms of the Kurdish population.It also raises serious concerns about allegations of torture, freedom of religion, women's and trade union rights, civilian control over the military, and the rights and freedoms of the Kurdish population.
Correspondents say Turks are tiring of the constant pressure from Brussels and are increasingly convinced that the EU does not see the country as a future member.Correspondents say Turks are tiring of the constant pressure from Brussels and are increasingly convinced that the EU does not see the country as a future member.
Some polls show support for EU membership plummeting as low as 30%.Some polls show support for EU membership plummeting as low as 30%.
Further enlargementFurther enlargement
The European Commission says the 2004 enlargement of the EU, which took membership from 15 to 25 states, has been a "considerable success" increasing prosperity across the bloc. The European Commission's report says the 2004 enlargement of the EU, which took membership from 15 to 25 states, has been a "considerable success" increasing prosperity across the bloc.
TURKISH MARATHON 1959 - Turkey applies for associate membership of EEC1963 - Association agreement with EEC is signed1987 - Application for full EEC membership1995 - Final agreeement on EU-Turkey customs union1999 - Turkey officially becomes EU candidate2005 - Formal opening of accession negotiations href="/1/hi/world/europe/4107919.stm" class="">Q&A: Turkey's EU entry talks However, it says there will not be another "big bang" expansion, when several countries join at once. But it says it will step up scrutiny of all candidate countries' political reforms in future.
It is necessary to ensure freedom of expression without delay by... bringing the legislation into line with European standards Commission report Send us your comments
Bulgaria and Romania are due to join in January 2007, but the Commission says "a new institutional settlement" streamlining the way the EU operates should have been reached before any further members can join.Bulgaria and Romania are due to join in January 2007, but the Commission says "a new institutional settlement" streamlining the way the EU operates should have been reached before any further members can join.
Officials emphasise that reaching an institutional settlement does not necessarily mean passing the constitution, which was voted down by voters in French and Dutch referendums last year.Officials emphasise that reaching an institutional settlement does not necessarily mean passing the constitution, which was voted down by voters in French and Dutch referendums last year.
They also insist that Croatia could still join the EU by the end of the decade.They also insist that Croatia could still join the EU by the end of the decade.
Another Commission report to be issued on Wednesday on the EU's capacity to absorb new members, avoids setting geographical limits to the EU. Another Commission report issued on Wednesday, on the EU's capacity to absorb new members, avoids setting geographical limits to the EU.
Correspondents say it gives some hope to would-be members such as Ukraine or Moldova - but stresses that keeping its promises to existing candidates in the Balkans and Turkey is a higher priority.Correspondents say it gives some hope to would-be members such as Ukraine or Moldova - but stresses that keeping its promises to existing candidates in the Balkans and Turkey is a higher priority.