EP adopts Turkey reports

The European Parliament (EP) yesterday debated and voted a report on Turkey. The report, prepared by Dutch Christian Democrat parliamentarian Ria Oomen-Ruijten, was adopted by lawmakers 467-62. Urging Ankara to accelerate the reforms with respect to democracy and secularism, the report said that use of exaggerated force during May 1 celebrations was worrying, and that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) closure case should be concluded in respect to European values. It also called on the Turkish government to respect pluralism, secularism and democracy while carrying out reforms and to reach a compromise with political parties and urged the political parties to distance themselves from violence and terrorist organizations. Addressing the gathering, European Union Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said that the EU executive body was concerned about the slow pace of reforms in Turkey. The report is a non-binding and recommendatory one.