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The first reaction to the 2019 Progress Report on Turkey by the European Union (EU) has come from Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Faruk Kaymakçı.
CLICK - EU Progress Report on Turkey: 'There is Backsliding, New Chapter is Unlikely'
Describing the findings and criticisms in the report as "unjust and disproportionate", Kaymakçı has said that they will evaluate the report in detail in the Commission of Foreign Affairs.
'We make efforts for freedom-security balance'
Vice Minister Kaymakçı has evaluated the report as follows:
"Unfortunately, the European Union does not approach Turkey in an impartial manner, it cannot detect the current situation in Turkey. The populist point of view has spread to the institutions.
"There are some invalid expressions in the report, stating that Turkey has drifted away from the values of the Union. Turkey is right here safe and sound. Turkey is a part of Europe.
"Turkey has been making efforts for the freedom-security balance. It is unacceptable that the report refers to the FETÖ terrorist organization [which is held responsible for the coup attempt on July 15, 2016] as 'Gülen movement' as if it was a civil society organization.
'Turkey not the only country recounting votes'
"The important steps that we have taken for the political reform process after the State of Emergency have not been sufficiently referred to in the report.
"The criticisms about the functioning of the judiciary cannot be accepted. Important steps are being taken in the field of judiciary. The strategy document on judicial reform will be shared with the public tomorrow.
"The EU has not respected the will of the people. In the new system, the President has been rendered accountable. The criticisms about the March 31 local elections cannot be accepted. Everyone who believes in the law should respect the verdict of the Supreme Election Council (YSK). Turkey is not the only country where the votes are counted again.
"Turkey has still been taking steps in the direction of structural reforms. We are determined to abide by the acquis communautaire of the EU. The Union does not mention its own responsibilities in the report. The EU membership of Turkey will be the most beneficial membership of all." (AS/SD)
