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Turkey still committed to EU membership despite bloc's failed promises: Erdogan

Announces a number of judiciary reforms in Ankara

Reuters May 30, 2019

A file photo of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. PHOTO: REUTERS

ANKARA: Turkey maintains its commitment to a full European Union membership even though the bloc has not kept its promises, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, a day after an EU report criticised Ankara on its judiciary and economic state.

Announcing a number of judiciary reforms in Ankara, Erdogan said they would effectively ban only "problematic" sections of websites instead of imposing a full access ban.

Yargı Reformu Stratejisi Programı https://t.co/X5g5y8lOQK
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) May 30, 2019

Online encyclopaedia Wikipedia has been blocked in Turkey since 2017 over a law that allows authorities to ban access to websites deemed a threat to national security.

Erdogan also said Turkey remained committed to its "zero tolerance" policy on torture - two days after an Ankara lawyers' group said five foreign ministry personnel reported they had been tortured and mistreated in custody.

COMMENTS (1)

Sophie | 5 years ago | Reply As long as Erdogan is in charge Turkey has zero chance of gaining EU membership. He must be desperate to still be trying to beat this dead horse.

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