In its annual progress report on countries aspiring to join the bloc, the EU executive also chided Ankara for failing, for another year, to normalize relations with Cyprus, the southern part of the Mediterranean island that is part of the EU.
However, the Commission did not propose any sanctions for Turkey’s failure to meet its commitment to open ports and airports to Cyprus.
Ankara has started membership negotiations with the EU in 2005 but a row with Cyprus as well as reluctance among some EU governments to admit the large, mainly Muslim state has ground progress in talks to a near standstill.
“Turkey has continued its political reform process, in particular through the reform of its constitution. But no one can be satisfied with the current pace of negotiations,” EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele told reporters.
The Turkish government won support for an overhaul of the country’s constitution in a referendum in September in an effort to meet EU demands on the rule of law.
The Commission noted progress on human rights, prevention of torture and the protection of minorities, freedom of assembly as well as womens’, childrens’ and cultural rights. But it said more progress was needed.
“Turkey’s approach to respect for, and protection of, minorities and cultural rights remains restrictive,” it said. “Turkish law does not sufficiently guarantee freedom of expression... The high number of cases initiated against journalists is of concern,” it said in the report.
A probe into the so-called Ergenekon case involving alleged military coup plotter strengthened the confidence in Turkey’s democracy, the Commission said.
But it it added that “senior members of the armed forces have continued to make statements beyond their remit.” Addressing economic cooperation, the Commission said that although in theory the EU and Turkey have forged a customs union, some trade barrier remain.
“A number of longstanding trade irritants remain unresolved, such as conformity assessments checks, import and export licensing requirements..., requirements for the registration of new pharmaceutical products and tax discriminatory treatment.”
It urged Turkey to allow NATO improve its military cooperation with the EU. As a NATO member, Turkey has blocked closer ties between the military pact and the EU in some areas, trying to win concessions from the bloc or some member states, such as Greece.
Ankara recognizes the northern Turkish-dominated part of Cyprus and refuses to normalize ties to the southern part. The Mediterranean island was split by a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup in early 1970s.
