I would draw the Deputy’s attention to my response yesterday to questions posed on the current situation in Turkey. I support the call by High Representative Ashton that it is essential that all violence stops and that all cases of excessive use of force by the police are recognised as such and investigated promptly, and that those responsible are held fully accountable. Ireland has long been supportive of Turkish EU membership and one of our EU Presidency priorities is to reinvigorate the accession process with Turkey, including by way of trying to open a negotiation Chapter, the last having been opened three years ago. We remain committed to this objective. Our support is influenced by a number of factors including the exercising through the accession perspective of a positive influence on reforms. EU-inspired reforms have, in fact, facilitated the increasing space for peaceful protest and dissenting voices. Turkey as a candidate for membership of the EU is expected to uphold the democratic values of the EU. The accession process provides a framework for ensuring Turkey’s full commitment to and guarantee of human rights and fundamental freedoms for the benefits of all the citizens of the country, without discrimination. It is for this reason that we remain committed to advancing Turkey’s EU accession negotiations as the most effective means of encouraging democratic reforms in line with EU norms. When I met the Turkish Foreign Minister last month at the EU-Turkey Association Council, I encouraged him to further improve the observance of fundamental rights and freedoms, including in areas such as freedom of expression.
