Government firm on reform drive

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu chaired talks yesterday in Konya on reforms sought by the European Union despite the standstill in accession talks, with EU pressure over jailed journalists high on the agenda. Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin and EU Minister Egemen Bagis participated in the meeting of the Reform Monitoring Group (RMG) in the Central Anatolian province, Davutoglu's hometown. "The issue of basic rights and freedoms was on the agenda in the context of EU pressure over lengthy detention periods and jailed journalists," a source said while the meeting was still under way. Speaking after the meeting, Davutoglu said Ergin had briefed the group on preparations for an "action plan on freedom of expression" and other work under way on the problem of lengthy pre-trial detentions. The ministers also analyzed ways to effectuate what EU Commissioner Stefan Fule called "the positive agenda" which builds on the solid fundamentals of Turkey-EU relations. To this end, the ministers reviewed efforts to facilitate visa procedures for Turkish citizens. "The ‘positive agenda' should not replace our EU accession talks. If the EU wants to apply a ‘positive agenda,' then it should [allow Turks to travel visa-free]. We are waiting for this step immediately," Davutoglu said at the press conference. The ministers also discussed the parliamentary drive to draw up a new charter for Turkey and how the process could serve to embrace EU norms. "The reform efforts should be stronger than ever even under the current circumstance," Davutoglu said in reference to the virtual halt in Turkey's EU accession talks that could be exacerbated by a fresh crisis when Greek Cyprus takes over the EU presidency in July. "The aim of Greek Cyprus is to postpone the EU accession talks as it will take the EU term presidency in 2012. We will not be blindfolded to these maneuvers," said Davutoglu. He also called for the speedy implementation of an action plan of reforms that the Cabinet had adopted in September 2010.