"Transforming the priorities and timelines into a reform plan" to be accomplished as soon as possible: the latest report adopted by the Foreign Affairs Commission of the European Parliament is the focus of attention in Strasbourg, where the plenary session is under way. The MEPs reviewed the progress made by Ankara in its negotiations for accession to the EU and outlined a text that will have to be submitted to the EU Parliament. But the many problems highlighted in the Report "cannot be ignored by Erdogan’s government". The leaders of the parliamentary groups are in favour, while the Dutch People’s Party leader MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijten, who wrote the Report, "congratulates prime minister Erdogan on his commitment to turn 2008 into the year of reforms"; at the same time, she urges "the Turkish government to keep its promises". One of the most delicate points is the role of the army in Turkish democracy, and there is concern for the investigation opened by justice on the constitutional profile of the Akp, the party of the prime minister and president of the Republic. Many comments have been made on the situation of the Kurdish minority as well: in this case, Turkey is asked to outline a "political initiative that will promote a lasting solution for such problem". (continued)” “
