Turkey's accession to EU 'on track', says Rehn

EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn has said that Turkey's accession process is moving forward, but warned that the country must press ahead with reforms if it is to be successful.

Speaking at the Crans Montana Forum in Brussels on Friday, Rehn said Turkey has been transformed in recent years and is now more prosperous and democratic than ever, and "this transformation is closely linked with the EU accession process".

He told Turkey's prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the country's accession was progressing well.

"We have so far opened 10 chapters, and will open another one, taxation, next week," said the commissioner. "This is a sign that the EU accession process of Turkey is well on track and moving forward."

The issue of Turkey's accession is very much on the political agenda at the moment, with the incoming Swedish EU presidency favouring enlargement and pushing for progress in the accession negotiations.

However, Rehn warned, "There is no cruise control in the accession negotiations. Each step forward requires hard work and intense preparations by the candidates for EU membership."

Reform is key to Turkey's accession progress, and the country must continue to pursue political reform if it is to become aligned with the EU's democratic standards.

Rehn stressed the importance of reforming the legal and constitutional framework governing the closure of political parties to ensure rules are in line with European standards.

He added, "It is equally important to guarantee freedom of expression and the independence and pluralism of the media.

"These are fundamental values in any democratic and open European society. They constitute the very foundation of the democratic transformation of Turkey."

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