This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6126252.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Brussels condemns 'slow' Turkey Brussels sets deadline for Turkey
(20 minutes later)
The European Commission has given a critical verdict on Turkey's progress towards EU membership. The European Commission has given Turkey until mid-December to open its ports to Cypriot ships, or face unspecified consequences.
A report published a year after entry talks began says the pace of reforms has slowed, and calls for urgent steps to ensure freedom of speech. The warning is set out in a report criticising the pace of Turkish reforms in the year since EU entry talks began.
But it stops short of recommending any slowing or freezing of the talks. The Commission says it will make "relevant recommendations" to EU leaders if Turkey does not meet its obligations towards Cyprus.
Instead it threatens to make "relevant recommendations" to an EU summit next month if Turkey has not by then opened its ports to Cypriot shipping. Correspondents say the leaders may opt to freeze Turkey's membership talks.
The decision would be made at a summit in Brussels on 14 and 15 December.
READ THE FINDINGS Turkey 2006 Progress Report [364KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here Turkey agreed last year to extend its customs union with the EU to Cyprus, which joined the bloc in 2004, but has not done so, with the result that Turkish ports and airports remain closed to Cypriot traffic.
"Failure to implement its obligations in full will affect the overall progress in the negotiations," the report says."Failure to implement its obligations in full will affect the overall progress in the negotiations," the report says.
"The Commission will make relevant recommendations ahead of the December European Council if Turkey has not fulfilled its obligations.""The Commission will make relevant recommendations ahead of the December European Council if Turkey has not fulfilled its obligations."
Turks tiringTurks tiring
Turkey agreed last year to extend its customs union with the EU to Cyprus, which joined the bloc in 2004, but has not done so. Turkish ports and airports remain closed to Cypriot traffic. The report says Ankara must ensure freedom of expression "without delay" by repealing or amending article 301 of the penal code, which has led to the prosecution of numerous writers for "insulting Turkishness".
READ THE FINDINGS Turkey 2006 Progress Report [364KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
The report also lists a range of other problems Turkey has to address.
It says Ankara must ensure freedom of expression "without delay" by repealing or amending article 301 of the penal code, which has led to the prosecution of numerous writers for "insulting Turkishness".
It also raises serious concerns about allegations of torture, freedom of religion, women's and trade union rights, civilian control over the military, and the rights and freedoms of the Kurdish population.It also raises serious concerns about allegations of torture, freedom of religion, women's and trade union rights, civilian control over the military, and the rights and freedoms of the Kurdish population.
TURKISH MARATHON 1959 - Turkey applies for associate membership of EEC1963 - Association agreement with EEC is signed1987 - Application for full EEC membership1995 - Final agreeement on EU-Turkey customs union1999 - Turkey officially becomes EU candidate2005 - Formal opening of accession negotiations Q&A: Turkey's EU entry talks Balkan candidates' progress TURKISH MARATHON 1959 - Turkey applies for associate membership of EEC1963 - Association agreement with EEC is signed1987 - Application for full EEC membership1995 - Final agreement on EU-Turkey customs union1999 - Turkey officially becomes EU candidate2005 - Formal opening of accession negotiations Q&A: Turkey's EU entry talks Balkan candidates' progress
Correspondents say Turks are tiring of the constant pressure from Brussels and are increasingly convinced that the EU does not see the country as a future member.Correspondents say Turks are tiring of the constant pressure from Brussels and are increasingly convinced that the EU does not see the country as a future member.
Some polls show support for EU membership plummeting as low as 30%.Some polls show support for EU membership plummeting as low as 30%.
The European Commission's report says the 2004 enlargement of the EU, which took membership from 15 to 25 states, has been a "considerable success" increasing prosperity across the bloc. Another European Commission report summing up the state of play with the EU's enlargement policy, says the 2004 expansion of the EU, which took membership from 15 to 25 states, has been a "considerable success" increasing prosperity across the bloc.
But it says it will step up scrutiny of all candidate countries' political reforms in future. But it says there will not be another "big bang" expansion, in which several countries join at once, and that scrutiny of candidate countries' political reforms will be stepped up in future.
However, it says there will not be another "big bang" expansion, in which several countries join at once.
Further expansionFurther expansion
Bulgaria and Romania are due to join in January 2007, but the Commission says "a new institutional settlement" streamlining the way the EU operates should have been reached before any further members can join.Bulgaria and Romania are due to join in January 2007, but the Commission says "a new institutional settlement" streamlining the way the EU operates should have been reached before any further members can join.
It is necessary to ensure freedom of expression without delay by... bringing the legislation into line with European standards Commission report Send us your commentsIt is necessary to ensure freedom of expression without delay by... bringing the legislation into line with European standards Commission report Send us your comments
Officials emphasise that reaching an institutional settlement does not necessarily mean passing the constitution, which was voted down by voters in French and Dutch referendums last year.Officials emphasise that reaching an institutional settlement does not necessarily mean passing the constitution, which was voted down by voters in French and Dutch referendums last year.
They also insist that Croatia could still join the EU by the end of the decade.They also insist that Croatia could still join the EU by the end of the decade.
Another Commission report issued on Wednesday, on the EU's capacity to absorb new members, avoids setting geographical limits to the EU.Another Commission report issued on Wednesday, on the EU's capacity to absorb new members, avoids setting geographical limits to the EU.
Correspondents say it gives some hope to would-be members such as Ukraine or Moldova - but stresses that keeping its promises to existing candidates in the Balkans and Turkey is a higher priority.Correspondents say it gives some hope to would-be members such as Ukraine or Moldova - but stresses that keeping its promises to existing candidates in the Balkans and Turkey is a higher priority.