EU to open new chapters in negotiations with Turkey

The European Parliament's rapporteur on Turkey Ria Oomen-Ruijten's demand for opening two new chapters in its accession negotiations was supported by the European Parliament. Oomen-Ruijten's draft report on Turkey was discussed at the EP's Committee on Foreign Affairs. The spokesmen of the political groups at the EP and most of the MPs who spoke at the session expressed their agreement on opening chapter 23 on judiciary and fundamental rights and chapter 24 on justice, freedom and security. The Committee members also agreed that the killing of three PKK women in Paris was a “provocation,” expressing their hopes that this incident will not hamper the efforts for settling the Kurdish issue. The draft report hails Turkey's determination in preparing a new constitution and a participatory approach adopted by the Parliament's Constitutional Commission. The draft also underlines that the new constitution observes the principles of separation of powers, checks and balances, separation of religious, social and state affairs and provides for a comprehensive administrative system that guarantees the fundamental rights of citizens.