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Turkish Foreign Ministry Denounces EP's Critical Report

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  • Turkish Foreign Ministry Denounces EP's Critical Report

    TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY DENOUNCES EP'S CRITICAL REPORT

    PanARMENIAN.Net
    March 10, 2011 - 16:32 AMT 12:32 GMT

    Turkish Foreign Ministry officials denounced a critical report on
    Turkey passed Wednesday in the European Parliament, saying it was
    biased and influenced by individual parliamentarians' domestic
    concerns.

    'While partially referring to the positive steps taken in the field
    of reforms in our country, [the report] essentially takes a one-sided
    stance and includes elements that do not correspond to the realities
    and hence are not acceptable to us,' the Foreign Ministry said in
    a statement.

    The report, prepared by Turkey rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruyjten, takes the
    stance that accession talks with Turkey that began in 2005 are only
    'the starting point for a long-lasting and open-ended process.'

    It criticizes Turkey for its 'slow progress' in 2010 on reforms and
    human rights issues such as gender equality and freedom of religion
    and the press, particularly in light of a wave of recent arrests of
    journalists in Turkey.

    The resolution also calls on the Turkish government to more actively
    support negotiations towards a resolution of the Cyprus issue, which
    continues to be a major obstacle to the opening of new chapters in
    membership talks for Turkish accession to the EU.

    Turkey's Foreign Ministry blamed the 'domestic political considerations
    of a limited number of MEPs representing certain member states'
    for the tone and content of the report.

    'There are presuppositions and prejudices regarding the Cyprus issue
    and freedom of the press. It is impossible for us to accept these,'
    said Turkey's chief EU negotiator, Egemen Bagis, M&C reported.




    From: A. Papazian
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