The document, approved yesterday, is to be presented to Turkey at the Partnership Council and included reference to the fact the EU is closely monitoring court cases being opened against political parties seeking their closure.
The document calls for all those involved in Turkish politics to find solutions by respecting basic freedoms, the constitution and democratic secularity and through dialogue and compromise.
The document also highlighted concerns on the slow pace in reforms in Turkey.
“The EU has noted the Turkish government’s will to amend the Turkish Constitution,” the document read. “The constitutional amendments are essential in embracing EU standards.”
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said that Turkey would attend the Brussels meeting today as long as the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council did not make any changes to the approved text of the common position paper.
Speaking at a press conference in Ankara, Babacan said he had telephone conversations with the Slovenia rotating presidency and European Commission executives at the weekend, and he was told that no change was envisaged on the document.
Turkey is a candidate for membership of the EU and as such the EU had the right to comment on developments in Turkey, he said.
“When Turkey-EU relations are considered both in legal and political framework, it is natural for the EU to make comments, to prepare reports and posture statements regarding the developments in Turkey,” he said. “This is common practice for all candidate countries and will continue till Turkey becomes a full member. Moreover, there are rules and standards that member countries should abide by as a requirement of full membership.”
Babacan said it was important to make sure that developments in Turkey were understood well, to ensure them access to accurate information, and to be in close dialogue in all studies in question.
