Pressure on Turkey was stepped up on Monday (20 September) as the European Commission made it clear that a reform of the Turkish penal code is essential to Ankara's application to join the EU.
Jean-Christophe Filori, spokesman for the European commissioner for enlargement, Günther Verheugen, said, "The Commission will make clear that, as long as such a central element as the reform of the penal code is not adopted, accession negotiations cannot start".
On Friday (17 September) Tur...
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Already a member? Login hereLisbeth founded EUobserver in 2000 and is responsible to the Board for effective strategic leadership, planning and performance. After graduating from the Danish School of Media and Journalism, she worked as a journalist, analyst, and editor for Danish media.
Lisbeth founded EUobserver in 2000 and is responsible to the Board for effective strategic leadership, planning and performance. After graduating from the Danish School of Media and Journalism, she worked as a journalist, analyst, and editor for Danish media.