The European Socialists and Democrats call on the Council and the European Commission to restart EU membership negotiations with Turkey. At the same time they urge the Turkish government to continue and to accelerate the speed of the reforms process in order to fully comply with all the Copenhagen criteria for membership. 

Following discussions today in the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee on the progress reports for Turkey, Gianni Pittella said:
 
"The European Union has to stick to its commitments concerning the Turkish accession process, keeping the door open for full-membership.
 
"The negotiation process for joining the European Union strengthens the stability and democracy of both Turkey and the region and it must be continued.
 
"Turkey, as a candidate for accession, must fully respect the two fundamental principles of democracy and political pluralism, complying with all the Copenhagen criteria.
 
"New negotiations with Turkey, particularly on chapters 23 and 24 (which deal with the judicial system and civil rights), would help Ankara to strengthen the rule of law as well as improving stability and reinforcing democracy in the country. We call on the Turkish authorities to help us, the main progressive political group in the European Parliament, to help Turkey get closer to the EU." 

S&D MEP Kati Piri, the European Parliament's lead negotiator on Turkey, said:
 
"Without any doubt, Turkey and the EU are strategic partners. And when there are problems in a relationship with such an important partner, we don't just walk away and isolate the country, but we step up our engagement.
 
"The unique situation with Turkey is that as it is a candidate country, we have many more tools available to engage with it than for instance with other countries that are part of Europe's neighbourhood. Therefore, in my report, I call on the EU to use all available tools in the negotiation process in order to engage and to give Turkey the possibility of showing that it is truly committed to democratic reforms."