Turkey: 80th anniversary and prospect of EU entry

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 31st Oct 2003

A European Commission report next week on Turkey's progress towards the EU will ask Turkey to improve human rights and limit the military's role in politics.

London's Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Baroness Sarah Ludford responded to news of the draft report just after celebrating at the London embassy the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Republic. She is calling for Turkey to respond constructively to the Commission report so that together we can achieve the goal of opening accession talks in just over a year's time.

Said Sarah:

"Making laws is one thing but actually getting them implemented is a tougher challenge. I welcome the commitment to political and legal reform of Turkey's government and parliament, but this must be matched by reform in the behaviour of officials, police and soldiers.'

"If this is done, the EU must be fair, consistent and reliable in its dealings with Turkey. It must not move the goalposts and set up new objections to the opening of Turkey's EU accession talks".

"Equally, I am sure Prime Minister Erdogan and Turkey's MPs and citizens will understand that the EU commentary is constructive and meant as an encouragement to join us in Europe with all possible speed."