Rehn says Turkey has "plenty of work" to do in EU accession

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said there was "plenty of work" for Turkey to do on issues such as freedom of expression and the media, as well as trade union rights, if it wanted entry into the bloc.Â

 

"Turkey needs to seriously resume reforms enhancing fundamental freedoms," Rehn told Reuters in an interview in Washington, where he was meeting U.S. State Department and World Bank officials to discuss a range of issues, including Turkey.

 

He said Turkey must adopt a law on trade unions respecting the standards of international labor organizations -- a demand made for the past three years.

 

"It was last promised in January and then by April and we have not seen it. Therefore we cannot open a chapter (negotiations) on social policy in employment as there is no agreement," Rehn said.

 

In Turkey, skepticism about the EU and the belief it is unfairly hindering the majority Muslim but secular nation's accession talks have grown, with powerful conservative opponents having said they will resist attempts to change the constitution.

 

Opinion polls show many Turks feel the EU has cooled toward the country and that the bloc will not accept Turkey as a member state, even if Ankara meets all political and economic requirements for EU accession.

 

'BREAK THAT NEGATIVE CIRCLE'
Rehn conceded the EU must work harder to counter doubts inside Turkey over membership.

 

"The way to break that negative circle is to be fair and firm," he said. "The EU must stick to its commitment to Turkey and give Turkey a chance to meet the conditions to become a member of the EU one day."

 

Rehn said several negotiating areas, or chapters, were expected to open in the final month of the Czech Republic's EU presidency and then in Sweden's six-month term that follows.

 

On taxation, for example, agreement was near, bringing to 11 the number of chapters opened so far of the 35 Turkey must complete to qualify for EU membership.

 

The EU began accession talks with Ankara in late 2005 but they have moved very slowly, held up by the pace of reforms as well as the Cyprus dispute and opposition from France and Germany.

 

Rehn said the financial crisis, European Parliamentary elections and other domestic concerns had pushed enlargement down the EU's agenda.

 

"There is a certain degree of enlargement fatigue that has developed in Europe over the years," he said. "It is important to realize that enlargement cannot be made a scapegoat of the financial crisis and the economic recession."