European Parliament adopts Turkey 2013 report

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The European Parliament 2013 progress report on Turkey was approved on Wednesday by 475 votes in favour, 153 against and 43 abstentions.

The report, drafted by rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruijten, was discussed on Tuesday at the plenary, in Strasbourg, in the presence of Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule and Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Kourkoulas, representing the Greek EU Presidency.

In the report, the EP welcomes the joint declaration, agreed last February by the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, paving the way for the resumption of peace talks.
Moreover, it asks Turkey to actively support negotiations for a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement.

MEPs also ask the Council to make efforts to open accession negotiating chapter 23, on judiciary and fundamental rights and chapter 24, on justice and home affairs.
Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion, resulting in the occupation of the northern third of the island.

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