EU Parliament calls for more reforms in Turkey

European Union's relations with Turkey need "fresh impetus, but will get it only if Turkey makes more progress on reform, " said an Europrsn Parliament (EP) resolution adopted here Thursday. The resolution based on the European Commission's 2011 report on Turkey's progress towards joining the EU, urges Turkey to do more to reform its judiciary and protect civil liberties. According to an EP statement, the resolution voices concerns about the deterioration of media freedom and laws limiting the freedom of expression in Turkey, many court cases against journalists and long pre-trial detention periods. It notes Turkey's strategic role in the region and says the EU and Turkey should step up their cooperation on shared foreign and neighbourhood policy priorities and in the area of energy. The EP praised Turkey' "firm stance on Syria" and said it was "source of inspiration for democratising Arab States." The resolution supports the ongoing UN-led reunification negotiations on Cyorus and asks Turkey to begin withdrawing its forces from the divided island. It also urges Turkey to find a political solution to the Kurdish issue. Turkey began negotiations for EU membership in 2005 but observers note that negotiations have not made much progress.