BRUSSEL
The European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule met Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Mevlut Cavusoglu for an "open and constructive" first meeting in his new position as Chief Negotiator in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
Cavusoglu reportedly informed Commissioner Fule about recent developments in Turkey and Fule commented that "Last year brought the momentum back to these negotiations" and added that "It is precisely because of the importance of our relations that we discussed openly our concerns regarding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary."
He recalled that in his previous statement he said that the European Commission expected Turkey, as a candidate country committed to the political criteria for accession, to take all necessary measures to ensure the recent allegations of corruption are addressed without discrimination or preference in a "transparent and impartial manner".
Fule requested Cavusoglu to convey EU's message to Ankara that they are concerned that "any change to the judicial system must not call into question Turkey's commitment regarding the Copenhagen political criteria."
The European Commission will review the provisions of the latest draft legislation on the judiciary in Turkey and will share its views with the Turkish authorities before any vote on the draft law.
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