EU tells Turkey to implement reforms

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

ANKARA, Turkey — The European Union has urged Turkey to implement reforms and to draft a new constitution that would usher in more freedoms after Turks approved sweeping changes to the constitution.

About 58 percent voted in favor of government-proposed amendments to the constitution crafted after a 1980 military coup in a referendum Sunday.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said Monday the changes address "long-standing priorities" for Turkey's membership.

He says Turkey needs to enact laws to implement the reforms as well as a new constitution that would bring its democracy more in line with European standards.


Read more: http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/eu-tells-turkey-to-612143.html

[pampango]

1. EuroNews: EU hails Turkish referendum result

http://www.euronews.net/2010/09/12/eu-hails-turkish-referendum-result/

Voters in Turkey have supported planned changes in the constitution in a key referendum for the country’s ambitions to join the European Union. The result has been welcomed by the European Parliament: its body overseeing Turkey’s preparations to join the EU said that, while further reforms were needed, Turkish citizens should be congratulated.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed:

“Today, those who voted yes and those who have voted no have both won. Tonight the real losers have been those with military takeover mentalities. We have proof that change can be brought about democratically. Once again, conviction and trust in democracy have seen the light of day.”

The margin of victory was much wider than opinion polls had suggested: 58 percent for and 42 percent against with turnout over 77 percent. Undecided voters swung behind the changes at the last minute, as did some 90 percent of the Kurds.