TURKEY: EU Commissioner Olli Rehn asked Turkey to improve article on the freedom of expression

EU Commissioner in charge of enlargement Olli Rehn asked Turkey to improve the freedom of expression. In a joint press conference with Turkish FM Gul, Olli Rehn said: "The way in which the article 301 of the penal code has been interpreted including by court of possession has led to the prosecution of 69 of your compatriots. Journalists, academics, novelists, citizen activists who have done nothing else but expressing perhaps in a critical way clearly with non violent opinions," Rehn stressed that the article 301 of Turkish legislation has to be improved. Turkish FM Gul answering to a question said "While I was visiting France, they have asked me about the freedom of expression in Turkey. I said them that you are not the persons who could ask such questions because as France you are ready to prosecute people who says there is no Armenian genocide." Turkish FM Gul and Rehn told reporters that they will continue to work together after the presser as well. Rehn said Turkey played a central role as a bridge between Europe and the Islamic world. At a time of increasing nationalism in Turkey, analysts say Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan is resisting thorny EU reforms, particularly on freedom of expression. And many fear that if European politicians continue making life too difficult for Erdogan's centre-right government with roots in political Islam they will shy away from Europe. Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, speaking mentioned at the press conference that some of the criticism of Ankara's record was undeserved but he added Turkey knew its shortcomings and was working hard to rectify them. "We know what we have to do," Gul said. Rehn believes Turkey can still avoid a looming crisis in its membership talks, which began one year ago, if it pushes ahead with reforms and showed flexibility over the Cyprus problem. Turkey faces a showdown with the EU if it does not open its ports and airport to traffic from EU member Cyprus. Cyprus's internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government has threatened to block Turkey's EU entry bid if Ankara does not act soon. Turkey says the EU must first lift trade sanctions against breakaway Turkish Cypriots in northern Cyprus.

ITN Source | October 5, 2006

Tags:. .traffic. .expressing. .bridge. .began. .opinions