BRUSSELS: A referendum on constitutional reform in Turkey this weekend represents a "step in the right direction," but only if "vigilance" is applied in weak areas, the European Union has told Ankara.
According to a letter from the office of enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele seen by AFP on Wednesday, restrictions to the scope of military courts and more distance between the judiciary and government ministers is welcomed.
However, the position of Turkey’s justice minister as chair of a High Council, which evaluates judges and prosecutors, remains of concern to Brussels, as its "investigative authority" is subject to ministerial approval.
"Only a proper implementation of these provisions, in line with EU standards" will determine if the reform package is "translated into reality," the letter sent to members of Turkish civil society and academics underlined.
Some 50 million Turkish voters will be asked to approve the legislation which was adopted by parliament in May, and which Ankara presents as a passport to EU membership which could notably trigger prosecution of those behind a 1980 military coup.
Turkey kicked off membership talks with the EU in 2005.
The process has been sluggish, however, in part because of France and Germany’s wariness about letting the Muslim-majority nation of 75 million into the 27-nation bloc.
