Five Bad Grades For Turkey in EU Progress Report

The issues to be tackled are: judicial power and reform laws, which will be scrutinized according to freedom principles. Concluding that reforms have been implemented through a narrow frame, the E.C. will assert that the state did not fulfill its responsibilities regarding the adaptation process. It will be pointed out that problems stemming from legislative discrepancies concerning freedom of speech and organization continue. It will also be stated that the implementation of laws providing education and broadcasting in native languages are not at the required level.

After these five priority issues have been dealt with, the report will mention that verdicts reached by Turkish courts are not in line with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Reportedly, the Democratic People’s Party’s (DEP) deputy Leyla Zana’s case will be cited in the report.

Prior to this year’s progress report, Turkish officials and social organizations have been regularly in contact with Günther Verheugen, the E.U. Enlargement Commissioner. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUSIAD) and Economic Development Foundation (IKV) are paid visits to Brussels to discuss the issues in the report. All of the committees meeting with Verheugen in the past month left Brussels with hope.

It was frequently emphasized in the meetings that the Cyprus issue should be resolved. Although not included in the Copenhagen Criteria, the commission maintains that Turkey’s membership is unlikely unless the problem is solved. And, regarding religious freedom, the E.C. has begun to indicate that the Vatican should be persuaded for Turkey’s membership.