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Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Warsi (Conservative) on Monday, 3 March 2014.


Turkey

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the recent decision of the Turkish Parliament to remove senior independent officials from the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors and its effect on discussions regarding Turkish accession to the European Union.[HL5574]

Answer

We support the assessment of the European Commission, which has acknowledged the progress made by Turkey in recent years. The Commission has highlighted the need to engage in early consultations on all laws related to both the accession process and the political criteria. Where concerns are raised, the Commission has undertaken to support Turkey to ensure compatibility with EU standards.

We encourage the Turkish government to ensure that the implementation of any reform does not infringe on the principles of separation of powers and an impartial judiciary.

The Minister for Europe, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), made this clear during discussions on this legislation with the Turkish Minister for Justice in Ankara on 25 February.

The UK is clear that the EU Accession process remains the most effective mechanism for continuing reform in Turkey and we remain fully committed to, and supportive of, that process.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL5574; 752 c297WA
Session
2013-14
Subjects
Judiciary EU accession Turkey
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk