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The release in June of Zana and three other former
Kurdish legislators, who were also in Brussels, was
a surprise twist in one of the most politically
charged cases in EU-hopeful Turkey.
The four were seen as prisoners of conscience by the
EU, and the European Parliament in particular had
made them a cause celebre.
Addressing the parliament's foreign affairs
committee, Zana praised the Turkish government for
pushing through "revolutionary changes" in its bid
to win a date to launch EU accession negotiations.
"It's evident that the process engaged with the EU...
has contributed to the changes," she said, while
adding: "The government must be a lot more
resolute."
Zana said a new constitution was "indispensable" for
Turkey so that minorities such as the Kurds and
non-Muslims can "express themselves freely".
The Kurdish activists' visit to Brussels comes a
week after the EU's executive commission recommended
that EU nations start membership negotiations with
Turkey.
The commission's appraisal will form the basis for a
decision to be taken by EU leaders at a mid-December
summit. They are expected to give a green light,
while attaching strict conditions.
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