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Olli Rehn's Visit to Turkey "Proceed Quickly with Reforms"

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  • Olli Rehn's Visit to Turkey "Proceed Quickly with Reforms"

    The Hellenic Radio, Greece
    Oct 8 2005

    Olli Rehn's Visit to Turkey "Proceed Quickly with Reforms"
    08 Oct 2005 15:41:00

    By Annita Paschalinou

    The EU Enlargement Commissioner urged the Turkish National Assembly
    to immediately proceed with signing the EU-Turkey protocol, while he
    called on Ankara to implement the reforms at a faster pace, so that
    the accession talks can commence on time. After meeting with the
    Turkish PM, Olli Rehn noted that the speed of negotiations would
    depend on the rate of reforms implemented by Turkey. He also
    predicted that Turkeys accession to the EU would be tough and the
    negotiations could last 10 years. Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke of a
    tough process, while he voiced his optimism that the negotiations
    will prove successful in the end.

    Meeting with Novelist Orhan Pamuk

    In the context of his contacts in Turkey, Olli Rehn met with Turkish
    novelist Orhan Pamuk, a great defender of the rights of Kurds and
    Armenians.

    Turkeys most famous author faces up to three years in jail on the
    charge of "insulting Turkish identity" for allegedly backing charges
    that Armenians suffered genocide at the hands of Ottoman Empire
    forces 90 years ago.

    The incident has prompted intense reactions from the EU.

    Pamuk will be called to appear before an Istanbul court in December.

    Translated by Vicky Ghionis
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