The report also highlights a number of important steps taken by Turkey over the past 12 months, notably the adoption of a fourth judicial reform package and the start of a peace process to end militancy and violence in the southeast of the country.
The report, however, said the political climate in Turkey continued to be marked by polarization. “This translated into an understanding of democracy as relying exclusively on a parliamentary majority, rather than a participative process in which all voices are heard, and finally in an uncompromising stance in the face of dissent and a failure to protect fundamental rights and freedoms. This was exemplified in late May and early June, when police used excessive force in response to a major wave of protests,” the European Commission said in the report.
“The excessive use of force by police and the overall absence of dialogue during the protests in May/June have raised serious concerns,” it said. “This underlines the urgent need for further reforms and the promotion of dialogue across the political spectrum, and in society more broadly, as well as for respect of fundamental rights in practice,” it said.
The commission said Turkey had launched a number of investigations into police conduct during the protests. “These should be followed through in accordance with European standards and those responsible brought to account,” it said.
It urged Turkey to push ahead with plans to set up a monitoring mechanism to ensure the independent supervision of police conduct.
In the financial spectrum, it said the new Capital Markets Board launched a large-scale investigation concerning foreign investors’ transactions at the stock exchange during the Gezi incidents with a view to detecting market manipulations.
The report also criticized government attacks on press freedom. “The Supreme Council of Radio and Television (RTÜK) fined a number of television stations for providing live coverage of the so-called Gezi Park protests on the basis of incitement to violence.”
Mainstream media hardly reported on Gezi
“In particular, the mainstream media hardly reported on the Gezi Park protests in early June. Columnists and journalists were fired or forced to resign after criticizing the government. As a result, freedom of the media remained restricted in practice,” it said.
“On several occasions, high-level officials criticized the social media as a threat to society. A number of citizens were put in police custody, albeit subsequently released, for posting Twitter messages about the Gezi Park protests,” it said.
The document also cited the protests in its section on freedom of assembly. “Freedom of assembly was not respected on a number of occasions, including during the Gezi Park events. The Turkish authorities failed in these instances to protect, or to be seen to wish to protect, the rights and freedoms of others according to European standards,” the report stated.
Emphasis on the president
The report also touched on the role of the president. “The president [Abdullah Gül] maintained his conciliatory role across Turkey’s political spectrum and society, warning against polarization, including during the demonstrations in May and June, when he defended the right to peaceful assembly and dissent,” it said.
On the fourth judicial reform package, the report said it provided judicial remedies for a number of issues on which Turkey had been condemned by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) but said further efforts were needed. “Further efforts are needed to consolidate the independence, impartiality and efficiency of the judiciary, including the criminal justice system.”
The report said Turkey had still not addressed criticisms on legislation on the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK), including concerns over the role on the board for the justice minister and the ministry’s undersecretary.
“In any constitutional reform, Turkey needs to consolidate the achievements of the 2010 constitutional amendments, in particular that more than half of the members of the council are judges chosen by their peers from all levels of the judiciary, and address the shortcomings such as the role given to the minister of justice and to the undersecretary of the ministry,” it said.
The commission also criticized Ankara for a persistent lack of compromise in making reforms. “Work on political reforms and Parliament’s ability to perform its key functions of law-making and oversight of the executive continued to be hampered by a persistent lack of dialogue and spirit of compromise among political parties,” it said.
Praise for peace process
On the peace process, the report praised the government. “The government’s initiative for a peace process was a turning point and met strong engagement from Kurdish actors. The Kurdish issue and options for a solution were widely discussed, along with the hope that it would facilitate economic and social development in the southeast.
With regard to regional issues and international obligations, the report said Turkey had expressed support for a resumption of talks aimed at achieving a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus issue under the good offices of the United Nations. “However, Turkey has still not complied with its obligation of full non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement and has yet to remove all obstacles to the free movement of goods,” it said.
In overall, the European Commission urged the EU states to confirm their willingness to give new impetus to ties with Turkey by resuming talks and said issues in the report underlined the importance for the bloc to enhance its engagement with Turkey on fundamental rights.
“It is in the interest of both Turkey and the EU that the opening benchmarks for chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) are agreed upon and communicated to Turkey as soon as possible with a view to enabling the opening of negotiations under these two chapters. This would significantly contribute to ensuring that the EU remains the benchmark for reforms in Turkey,” the report said.
Here the full report (EU)
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/gezi-puts-its-mark-on-eu-progress-report.aspx?pageID=238&nID=56306&NewsCatID=338
16/10/13
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European Commission regards Turkey's 'democratisation package' as positive...
ReplyDelete2013 Progress Report revealed
BRUSSELS
European Commission 2013 Progress Report handled positively Turkey's "democratisation package" announced on September 30, as well as acknowledging the progress achieved on important requirements as regards the judiciary and fundamental rights.
Revealed on Wednesday, the report covered the democratisation package in detail.
"Implementation in cooperation with stakeholders and in line with European standards will be key," said the report.
"Overall, the government continued to express its commitment to further democratisation and political reforms," the report said.
The report gave a wide coverage to the 4th Judicial Reform Package and said, "Implementation of these legal changes in line with European standards should lead to a significant improvement in the level of respect for freedom of expression in Turkey."
- 'Gezi Park' demonstrations were peaceful except for a small number of violent protesters
Touching on the Gezi Park protests in May, the report said, "Protests started against an urban development project in Gezi Park in the centre of Istanbul. The protests grew, encompassing broader demands and spreading to other cities. Overall, the demonstrations were peaceful, despite the involvement of a small number of violent protesters. At several instances the police used excessive force against demonstrators."
"There is a growing and active civil society in Turkey. The Gezi Park protest in Istanbul and related protests across Turkey from May-June reflected the emergence of vibrant, active citizenry."
The report also suggests Turkey to improve government-civil society and parliament-civil society relations through systematic, permanent and structured consultation mechanisms at policy level......http://www.aa.com.tr/en/headline/240693--aa
16/10/13
EU gets further away from Turkey: Turkish EU minister...
ReplyDeleteTurkish Minister for European Union /EU) and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said on Wednesday that no country have ever waited for 54 years for membership to an international organization, referring to Turkey's lasting EU membership process.
Speaking in the EUROCHAMBRES Economic Forum, being held in Istanbul, Bagis said EU was getting further away from Turkey.
Bagis, reminding that Turkey-EU relations were initiated in the framework of the association regime based on the Ankara Agreement which was signed with the European Economic Community on 12 September 1963 and took effect on 1 December 1964, said "No country has ever waited for 54 years for membership to an international organization. We are aware that it is a political process. But nobody tell us Turkey is not ready for EU membership."
"As a part of the European family, Turkey not only had an influence on the political, economic and socio-cultural developments in the continent but has also been influenced by them," the Turkish minister added.
EUROCHAMBRES Economic Forum
The forum has hosted presidents of 43 member associations of Eurochambres, professional business executives, academicians and think tank representatives in Istanbul.
Organised by Eurochambres in cooperation with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchangers of Turkey (TOBB), the forum's main theme is "Investing in Growth".
Other subjects on the agenda include support for new businesses, access to finance, sustainable industry, women's entrepreneurship, green economy, digital services and skills needed in the labor market.
EUROCHAMBRES is the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
The association is one of the largest business representative organisation in Brussels, representing over 20 million companies through its network of 2000 Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
http://www.aa.com.tr/en/headline/240685--eu-gets-further-away-from-turkey-turkish-eu-minister
16/10/13
Vizepremier: Bürger der Türkei verlieren Interesse an EU-Beitritt...
ReplyDeleteDie Bürger der Türkei verlieren laut Vizepremier Bülent Arinc das Interesse am Beitritt des Landes zur Europäischen Union.
„Das Interesse unseres Volkes an einem EU-Beitritt der Türkei hat wesentlich nachgelassen. Wenn früher 75 Prozent der Bevölkerung des Landes diese Idee unterstützt hatten, so liegt diese Zahl heute bei 18 bis 20 Prozent“, sagte der Vizepremier in der Stadt Bursa bei einer feierlichen Zeremonie anlässlich des Festes Kurban-Bayram.
Dem Vizepremier zufolge liegt die Ursache nicht in den türkischen Realitäten, sondern in Europa selbst.
„Das ist nicht unsere Schuld. Die Ursache liegt im verantwortungslosen Verhalten jener europäischen Länder, die für die Türkei ständig Barrieren errichten und darauf aus sind, uns Verhören zu unterziehen“, betonte er.
Der Vizepremier verwies darauf, dass die Türkei seit 2005 aktive Verhandlungen zum EU-Beitritt führe. Die Türkei sei von dieser Idee nicht abgekehrt.
„Wir sind von dem 50-jährigen Traum, der EU beizutreten, keinen Schritt zurückgewichen, eine entsprechende Arbeit geleistet und das ‚Pensum‘ erfüllt“, sagte er.
http://de.ria.ru/politics/20131017/267096863.html
17/10/13
Turkey's Foreign Ministry pleased with EU's 2013 progress report...
ReplyDeleteForeign Ministry of Turkey welcomed the European Union's 2013 progress report on Turkey, released on Wednesday
ANKARA
Foreign Ministry of Turkey welcomed Saturday the European Union's 2013 progress report on Turkey, released on Wednesday.
"It is pleasing that the report, which gives wide coverage to political reforms made within the last one year, stresses Turkey's determination on continuation of democratization and political reforms," the statement said.
Turkey began negotiations to join the EU in 2005, 18 years after applying.
But a series of political obstacles, notably over Cyprus, and resistance to Turkish membership have slowed progress.
"It is mentioned the effective role of Turkey's foreign policy in the report. We share evaluations on the importance of our cooperation with the European Union (EU) in this field," it told.
Turkey's foreign ministry also emphasized, "The report mentions the Council agreed to open Chapter 22 - regional policy and coordination of structural instruments - and says negotiations will begin in the autumn. One of the steps that should be taken to remove the blockage on the bidding process is to open the remaining chapters as soon as possible."
The ministry noted that Cyprus issue was taken place in the report as "one-sided again".
"We expect the European Union to adopt a stance, which pushes the Greek Cypriot side seriously to a comprehensive solution," the statement added.
Besides, Turkey's European Union Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said on Saturday that the European Union's 2013 progress report on Turkey had showed Turkey's determination towards reforms.
"It is pleasing that Turkish government's reform works in different fields took place in the progress report positively," said Bagis, adding, "The report also praised democratization package announced by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan."
He said, "It will not be wrong to describe EU's 2013 progress report on Turkey as a certificate of incorporation in terms of Turkey's determination on reforms. As the report states, our government is tied to democratization progress and reforms. Our reform perspective will continue with the same determination. "
But Bagis added, "Progress report is not a ration card for Turkey. The only post to give a ration card to Turkey is nation."
On Cyprus issue, the Turkish minister stated that Turkey would never be the side, which escapes the solution, adding, "We expect the Greek Cypriot side to take the same brave steps with Turkey."
Egemen Bagis also talked about the visa exemption.
"Entering European countries without visa is right of Turkish people. We will be strict follower of our rights arising from the Ankara Agreement that we signed 50 years ago," he noted.
http://www.aa.com.tr/en/news/241503--turkeys-foreign-ministry-pleased-with-eus-2013-progress-report
19/10/13
Turkey releases its own EU Progress Report ...
ReplyDeleteTurkey’s European Union Ministry has issued its second progress report concerning the country’s EU membership bid.
The report presents the Turkish government’s determination on the reform process and “one of the most important documents that outlines concrete examples of work done in every field,” newly appointed EU Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said in a statement.
“The Progress Report by Turkey should not be perceived as a reaction to the European Commission’s 2013 Progress Report on Turkey. Our objective is to inform the public about Turkey’s resolutely-continuing reforms in the most comprehensive and objective manner and to underline the accession process brings about significant achievements, despite the difficulties encountered,” said the minister.
The European Union released its progress report on Turkey Oct. 16, with the anti-government Gezi protests in June putting a mark on crucial parts of the document, including democracy and the rule of law, financial services and the media. The report also highlighted a number of important steps taken by Turkey over the past 12 months, notably the adoption of the fourth judicial reform package and the peace process to end militancy and violence in the southeast of the country.
The administrative arrangements provided for in the Democratization Package have been realized without delay, said the report issued by the EU Ministry. The government presented the democratization package on Sept. 30, 2013.
“In this framework, the restriction on headscarves in public institutions and organizations has been lifted and the student oath, which was ended in secondary schools, has also been abandoned in primary schools,” the report stated.
The work on the protection of personal data and the establishment of the Anti-discrimination and Equality Board, which are also included in the Package, is currently underway in the form of separate laws, according to the report.
The most important arrangement in the area of civil-military relations is that the expression “the duty of the Armed Forces is to look out for and protect the Turkish homeland and the Turkish Republic established by the Constitution” was changed as “the duty of the Armed Forces is to protect the Turkish homeland against external threats and dangers,” in Article 35 of the Internal Service Law of the Turkish Armed Forces, said the report.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-releases-its-own-eu-progress-report-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=60548&NewsCatID=338
3/1/14