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BRUSSELS has warned Turkey that it will
suspend EU membership talks unless it stops
backsliding on reforms needed to meet European
standards.
There is concern in European capitals that Turkey
has been giving up on human rights and democracy
reforms as growing nationalism and disillusion with
Europe sweep the country.
Advocates of Turkey’s membership are alarmed that
the euphoria surrounding the historic start of entry
talks in October has given way to a mood of mutual
suspicion.
Olli Rehn, the Enlargement Commissioner, said: “It
is necessary that the Turkish Government takes
immediate action to restart the momentum of the
reforms in the country,” otherwise there could be a
“train crash” in membership talks. “That is the best
and only way to avoid a recess later on this year in
the negotiations between the EU and Turkey,” he
said.
The EU’s most immediate priority is that Turkey
opens its ports and airports to planes and boats
from Cyprus. Turkey, which has 35,000 troops on the
island, was allowed to start membership talks only
after promising to lift the blockade. But it has
since said that it will only do so in return for
concessions from the Cypriot Government.
The talks have already stumbled over French demands
that human rights must be considered throughout the
talks, rather than separately at the end.
Despite earlier reforms promoting freedom of speech,
the Government has started clamping down again, and
moves to improve the lot of minorities have given
way to an upsurge in violence between police and
Kurdish separatists in which more than a dozen have
died.
SECULAR LAW
Islamic headscarves, robes or beards may not be worn
in state-run buildings, including universities,
parliament and public offices
Graduates of Koranic schools are effectively denied
higher education because they have to achieve higher
marks than other students in entry examinations
Every year military schools expel students they
believe to be overly religious.
The National Security Council of top politicians and
generals must approve the list of expulsions, but
the Prime Minister, who is powerless to stop this,
always makes a note of his reservations
Religious Muslim marriages are illegal. Only civil
unions are recognised although devout Muslims often
have an additional religious ceremony. Some have
only a religious ceremony and are officially
regarded as adulterers
Timesonline co.uk
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