Erdogan heads for Brussels to head off EU storm

Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydin, Justice Minister Cemil Cicek are in Erdogan’s company.

Erdogan is scheduled to hold talks with EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen, and President of the European Parliament Josep Borrell.

The series of meetings come less than two weeks before the EU is to release its latest report on Turkey’s progress in meeting the bloc’s membership criteria.

Turkey’s bid to enter the 25-member EU is overshadowed by its failure to pass crucial reforms to the country’s penal code.

The Turkish-EU tie was further strained after Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party insisted on introducing a clause making adultery as a criminal offence.

EU leaders have warned that such a move would seriously damage Turkey’s hopes of obtaining a date to begin membership talks.

However, the Turkish prime minister said last week that the question of criminalizing adultery was a matter for the Turkish people and that the EU should not interfere in Turkey’s internal affairs. Enditem