Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn stated in an interview with the German daily Die Welt that Turkey must play its part by pushing for reforms. "It is important that the EU shows it is committed to Turkey's membership in difficult times," Rehn was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency. "But in order for this to happen, Turkey must stay convincingly on its reform course."Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) is facing a closure case at the Constitutional Court on charges of becoming a focal point for anti-secular activities, an accusation the AK Party vehemently denies. Rehn had earlier warned that closing down the AK Party would have severe consequences, including a possible halt in Turkey's accession talks with the 27-nation bloc.
Asked about the consequences of closure of the AK Party, Rehn told Die Welt that this would harm the reform process.
"Turkey is passing through a more critical phase than at any time since its negotiations to join the EU in 2005 began," Rehn said, predicting that Turkey could emerge with its democratic institutions strengthened, provided that all sides showed willingness to compromise and the necessary reforms were pushed through.
Asked to state the EU's expectations of Turkey in the area of reforms, Rehn singled out the issues of freedom of speech, women's rights and expanded rights for minorities. "Intense efforts are needed. No one should expect the solution to come automatically," he said to Die Welt.
The EU has repeatedly criticized Turkey for not changing a law that has been used to prosecute writers and intellectuals for "insulting Turkishness." The law, Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), is finally being amended, but critics are saying the changes fail to address the basic deficiencies in the law and that it is likely to continue to be used for prosecution of intellectuals for expressing non-violent opinions.
Regarding the slowness of the accession process, Rehn said six of 35 chapters in the process had been opened and a further two -- business law and intellectual property -- would be opened in June. Further chapters, including energy, would be opened under the French EU presidency in the second half of the year, he noted.
Rehn said he expected Turkey to join the EU in 10 to15 years, provided that Ankara continues with the reforms necessary for accession.
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