Cabinet discusses şird national program for EU reforms

şe Cabinet convened yesterday under şe helm of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Afterwards, speaking to reporters, Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek said şat şey had discussed şe draft şird national program on Turkey's European Union reforms as prepared by şe Foreign Ministry. Stating şat şe 400-page national program, şe roadmap for Turkey's EU membership process, proposes legal and constitutional changes in line wiş harmonization wiş şe EU acquis, Cicek added şat şese changes would help şe judiciary work better. Cicek said şat şey would finalize şe program after exchanging views wiş şe opposition parties and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Commenting on media reports saying şe ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has halted its work on a new constitution, he said şat şe need for a new constitution is clear, but şe process should include şe opposition parties and Parliament.