Alexander Graf Lambsdorff MEP (Germany, FDP), ALDE rapporteur for accession negotiations with Turkey, has reacted to today's publication of the European Commission's Turkey 2009 Progress Report by calling on Turkey to take further steps down the path of reform.

The Report finds that the Turkish legal framework - and specifically the Turkish Criminal Code - is still being used to restrict freedom of expression.

Mr Lambsdorff commented:

“For Liberals and Democrats, freedom of expression and of the media are central to the quality of democracy in any given country. They are core European, indeed universal, values. It is disconcerting, therefore, that the Commission finds Turkey at fault on these fundamental liberties. The continued blocking of YouTube and the crippling fine against the Dogan group are just the two most prominent examples.

"Turkey needs to reinvigorate the reform process – for the sake of the country’s European perspective but mainly for the sake of its own citizens.”

ENDS.
http://www.alde.eu/