EU tells Turkey to speed reforms

The EU says Turkey must do more to respect human rights

Turkey must ensure political reforms become a reality to achieve its goal of joining the European Union, the EU's enlargement commissioner has said.

Olli Rehn said that the country should not lose momentum in implementing the changes it has introduced.

After tough negotiations Turkey secured a date to begin accession talks late last year.

Critics say the country's willingness to improve its human rights record weakened after the deal was agreed.

"Turkey has done very bold and significant reforms to improve human rights, and it is understandable that there is a breathing phase," said Olli Rehn after meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.

"But it is extremely important Turkey keep up the momentum in legal, political and increasingly economic reforms," he added after the Istanbul talks.

Teargas

Mr Rehn said the government needed to ensure that torture was stamped out, women's rights were broaden and non-Muslim minorities were protected.

Mr Gul stressed that Turkey was committed to following through on the changes.

"The reforms will continue. There is no end to the improvements, It's not just passing [the reforms] in parliament, implementation is important," he said.

Mr Rehn also said Turkey had agreed to sign a protocol agreement that took the country a step closer towards recognising arch-rival and EU member Cyprus.

Meanwhile, earlier in the capital, riot police fired tear gas and used truncheons to disperse a crowd of demonstrators who had gathered to draw attention to women's rights.

Television footage showed people being chased and dragged away from the demonstration, organised ahead of World Women's Day.