EU: Turkey still has serious issues to address on human rights and freedom of expression, but its application for EU membership must be given a fair hearing, Fine Gael MEP Simon Coveney will tell the European Parliament in Strasbourg today.
Mr Coveney made his comments after a week-long visit to Turkey, as part of a parliamentary delegation which met members of the Turkish government as well as non-governmental agencies. The delegation also visited a predominantly Kurdish area in southwest Turkey where there are frequent military clashes between the Kurds and the army.
This morning the parliament will debate a progress report from Camiel Eurlings (EPP-ED) on Turkey's accession prospects, which is expected to say moves towards reform have slowed over the past year.
The EU is concerned about human rights abuses including the jailing of journalists and writers for the crime of unpatriotic comment.
It is also concerned about equal rights and access to education for women. Other issues include recognition for the cultural rights of the Kurds.
A number of MEPs have also questioned whether the EU has the "absorption capacity" to accommodate Turkey.
Mr Coveney said many MEPs do not want to see a country with a huge non-Christian population entering the union. He regretted that some members believe "that Europe is some kind of Christian club". The feeling was "perhaps rooted in an idea that Muslims need not apply, which is sending out the wrong image of the EU which should be about peace and stability".
On the delegation's visit, Mr Coveney was given the impression that Turkey - which he said had made some progress such as the abolition of the death penalty in 2002 - was tiring of the criticism.
However, he told the Turkish authorities that while he would argue for a fair hearing for them, they must give something that could be used by those arguing for that fair hearing.