One of the reminders addressed by the EU Commission to Turkey about the Accession Report states: "As well as to ensure freedom of speech, further efforts must be made to strengthen freedom of religion, the rights of women and trade unions". Objections, partly already raised in the past, have been made to the situation of the Kurdish population and the risk of military control over the political life of the country. According to the EU Commission, "freedom of religion keeps being generally respected", although "no progress has been made to solve the problems of the non-Islamic religious communities". According to the Accession Commissioner, Olli Rehn, "we need to be fair but firm with Turkey. Fair, in order to show that every candidate country can join the European Union; firm, for Ankara to be strict in accomplishing those reforms that can bring it closer to Europe". As to the future extension of the EU boundaries, Rehn explained: "First and foremost, we have to see if the EU can take it. To do this, we have to see to institutional reforms as soon as possible" if we want a EU with 27 or over member states to work.
