Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats
During the plenary session in Brussels today, members of the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the enlargement report for Turkey. The S&D Group fully supports the EU-Turkish process for membership but calls on the Council to accelerate the accession negotiations.
Commenting on the vote, S&D Group leader Hannes Swoboda said:
"We need to intensify the dialogue between the European Union and Turkey. It is crucial that the membership negotiations with Turkey continue smoothly and it is now time to re-launch the process.
"We have serious concerns about human rights and media freedom in Turkey. Therefore, it is important to open this chapter for negotiations. In addition, we call for new discussions to be opened, especially on chapters 23 and 24 which deal with the judicial system and civil rights. The issue of energy should also be opened."
Hannes Swoboda continued:
"Turkey must continue and accelerate the reform process. It is time to go forward with the penal code and the new constitution in order to assure freedom of expression for everybody. Paragraph 301 of the penal code is not compatible with European standards. This needs to be changed.
"Finally, the anti-terror law needs to be reformed, as it allows for the arrests of journalists, intellectuals, activists and others.
"Turkey needs to fulfil all the Copenhagen criteria. Accession will only be possible based on the full adoption and application of the acquis communautaire."
S&D Press contact: Utta Tuttlies
Head of Press and Communications
Spokesperson of the Group Leader
+ 32 2 284 37 44
+ 33 3 88 17 29 98
+ 32 495 19 26 67
Contact
SWOBODA Johannes (Hannes)
+ 33 3 88 17 57 16
+ 33 3 88 17 97 16
+ 32 2 284 57 16
+ 32 2 284 97 16
hannes.swoboda@europarl.europa.eu
+ 33 3 88 17 57 16
+ 33 3 88 17 97 16
+ 32 2 284 57 16
+ 32 2 284 97 16
hannes.swoboda@europarl.europa.eu
Associated media
EU and Turkey must speed up accession negotiations and reforms. Commenting on the vote, S&D Group leader Hannes Swoboda said: 'We need to intensify the dialogue between the European Union and Turkey. It is crucial that the membership negotiations with Turkey continue smoothly and it is now time to re-launch the process' (© Photo European Union)
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